BRUSSELS (AFP) - The new European Union commission chief has full confidence in his team despite the refusal by European Parliament members to endorse Italy's Rocco Buttiglione as justice commissioner because of his views on gays, the EU's executive body revealed.
Commission President-designate Jose Manuel Durao Barroso "maintains his confidence in the entire team including Mr. Buttiglione," spokewoman Pia Ahrenkilde said Tuesday.
The parliament's civil liberties committee Monday rejected Buttiglione as commissioner for justice, freedom and security because of controversial remarks on gays.
"The president-designate of course has the intention of taking into account the opinions of all the committees, but he is waiting for the view of the European Parliament (as a whole)," she said. "He expects to meet parliamentary party leaders to adopt a position on the hearings. The meeting will take place October 21.
"We are confident, and hope to have the confidence of the European Parliament and to have a positive vote on October 27. For the moment, I have no Plan B," Ahrenkilde added.
Barroso had said he was confident that Buttiglione was committed to the values contained in the charter of basic rights "forbidding any discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation," she said.
The president had said a society "based on tolerance allowed for differences of opinion."