« Kinnock accepts seat in the Lords | Entrada | West meets East for an historic EU signing »
novembro 02, 2004
Italy ready to drop Buttiglione to break European deadlock
Fonte: The Times
Italy ready to drop Buttiglione to break European deadlock
By Anthony Browne and Richard Owen
SILVIO BERLUSCONI, the Italian Prime Minister, last night gave a clear signal that he would resolve the impasse over the new European Commission by withdrawing Rocco Buttiglione as Italy’s candidate for Commissioner and nominating a replacement.
Signor Berlusconi said the “most probable outcome” of the crisis over Signor Buttiglione’s conservative Catholic views on homosexuality, marriage and the role of women was that he “will remain a minister”.
ANSA, the Italian news agency, said the new Italian nominee would be another member of the Government. Signor Buttiglione, a Christian Democrat close to the Pope, is at present Minister for European Affairs in Signor Berlusconi’s Centre Right coalition, which took office in 2001.
The Italian leader was speaking after a Cabinet meeting to draw up a resolution for the ratification of the new European Constitution, signed at a glittering ceremony on Capitol Hill yesterday by the leaders of the 25 EU member states, including Tony Blair. Italy hopes to become the first EU state to ratify the Constitution using a vote in Parliament — where the Centre Right has a commanding majority — rather than a referendum.
Signor Berlusconi last week privately urged Signor Buttiglione to step down, but defended him in public. As late as yesterday evening Franco Frattini, the Foreign Minister, said Signor Buttiglione’s nomination as Italy’s Commissioner was “not up for discussion”.
Signor Berlusconi appears to have taken a different view, however, after talks with fellow EU leaders over lunch following the signing ceremony. Mr Blair did not attend the lunch.
The Italian leader did not indicate whom he had in mind as a replacement for Signor Buttiglione. Known candidates include Signor Frattini, Letizia Moratti, the Education and Research Minister, and Giulio Tremonti, who until July was Economics Minister.
There is speculation in Rome that if Signora Moratti went to Brussels, Signor Buttiglione would take over her education portfolio in the Italian government. Earlier, the embattled incoming president of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso, said that he expected to replace members of his rejected team rather than just reshuffle responsibilities. He had intensive talks with EU leaders at the European Constitutional signing session in Rome after the European Parliament vetoed the incoming European Commission. After talks with Jan Peter Balkenende, the Dutch Prime Minister, whose country holds the EU presidency, Senhor Barroso told reporters: “We need more time so I can go back to some of the prime ministers so that I can get better choices.”
Signor Buttiglione, who attended the ceremony as Italy’s Minister for European Affairs, said that he had no intention of stepping down. He indicated, however, that he “might accept” a change of portfolio
Publicado por esta às novembro 2, 2004 01:08 PM