Standoff as EU chief sticks by disputed commissioner

BRUSSELS (AFP) - Incoming European Commission head Jose Manuel Barroso stuck by his controversial pick for EU justice chief in the face of a furious row with EU lawmakers ahead of a confirmation vote.
Analysts said the continuing standoff could set the stage for a knife-edge ballot in Strasbourg next week on the new European Union (EU) executive, which is due to take office in barely 10 days' time.
After crunch talks between Barroso and European Parliament leaders, the biggest party, the conservative European People's Party, reiterated its backing for Barroso's commission.
But the Socialist and Liberal groupings insisted they wanted Italy's outspoken Rocco Buttiglione assigned to a new brief or even booted out of the commission-to-be.
"It's going to be difficult to get a majority behind such a commission," said Martin Schulz, head of the Socialists, the second biggest party in the EU assembly. "We dont have confidence in it."
Experts agreed. "It is going to be a very tight race indeed I think," said John Palmer of the European Policy Centre, adding that next week's vote "will critically depend on the outcome of the swing votes in the liberal group."
Barroso told reporters that MEPs should "keep a sense of proportion," and expressed confidence that that he will ultimately win through.
"The parliament is not going to vote for one or two commissioners. They are going to vote for the whole commission," Barroso said, ahead of next Wednesday's confirmation vote in Strasbourg.
The parliament can only endorse or reject the commission as a whole, not veto individual commissioners. Its approval is essential before the new Brussels team can take office on November 1.
Barroso insisted his team would be "absolutely opposed to any kind of discrimination based on sexual orientation, based on gender, based on religious beliefs."
He also announced the formation of a special grouping of commissioners to deal with anti-discrimination issues -- a move widely seen as taking the issue out of Buttiglione's personal hands.
Buttiglione himself, a conservative Catholic, sought to mend fences by saying he "did not intend in any way to offend the feelings of anybody" at a now-notorious confirmation hearing at the European Parliament.
The cigar-chomping Italian had caused outrage by saying that in his view homosexuality is a sin, adding for good measure that the role of women is to have children and be protected by their husbands.
In a letter to Barroso, Buttiglione offered to give up some of the powers that would normally be included in his portfolio -- specifically those concerning discrimination and sexual harassment.
Buttiglione also said he "deeply regret(ted) the difficulties and the problems that have arisen as a consequence of my hearing".
But the Socialists and the Liberals were adamant that Buttiglione was unacceptable.
Liberal leader Graham Watson went further by arguing that Buttiglione should either "request a reshuffle" to another portfolio "or he should leave" the commission altogether.
"The (Liberal Democrats') strong preference remains the replacement of the Commissioner designate for Justice and Home Affairs, either through reshuffle or resignation," he said.
Buttiglione, who has accused his critics of pursuing an "anti-Christian inquisition", does enjoy the support of the conservative European People's Party, the parliament's biggest force.
"I ask MEPs to be tolerant to everyone whether they are Christian or not, Muslim or whatever," said EPP leader Hans-Gert Poettering.