Incoming European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso says he has finalised a new team, including Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini. Photo by WN
Incoming European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso says he has finalised a new team, including Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini.
Frattini replaces Rocco Buttiglione as candidate for commissioner for Justice, Freedom and Security. Buttiglione withdrew to resolve a row with the EU Parliament, after MEPs objected to his conservative views on gays and the role of women.
Barroso said he would present his team to the EU Parliament on Friday.
He is in Brussels with EU leaders for a two-day summit focusing on economic reforms.
Barroso was forced to withdraw his original line-up last week after MEPs threatened to veto the entire proposed commission if Buttiglione stayed. Barroso also said that Hungarian Laszlo Kovacs would switch from commissioner for energy to taxation and the new Latvian nominee, Andris Piebalgs, would take the energy post.
Dutchwoman Neelie Kroes would keep the competition portfolio, he added.