Incoming EU Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso has today said he would conduct a "very limited" reshuffle of his proposed EU executive and hoped to present it to the European Parliament in less than a month.
Barroso: to conduct a very limited reshuffle
Mr Barroso was forced into an embarrassing climb-down yesterday over his appointment of conservative Mr Rocco Buttiglone as Justice and Home Affairs Commissioner.
Before MEPs at the Strasbourg gathered to ratify Mr Barroso's Commission it was plain that Mr Buttiglone's appointment would lead to the European Parliament rejecting the line-up.
"I have come to the conclusion that if a vote is taken today [Wednesday], the outcome will not be positive for EU institutions or for the European project. In these circumstances, I have decided not to submit the new European Commission for your approval today," he told MEPs.
The former Portuguese prime minister withdrew his selection hours before the vote and promised to reconstitute his team. MEPs were unhappy with Mr Buttliglone holding a post that encapsulated human rights when he has publicly expressed views considered by many to be misogynist and homophobic.
European Union leaders will discuss changes to the new European Commission with Mr Barroso tomorrow when they meet in Rome to sign the EU constitutional treaty.
In today's interview, Mr Barroso said confirmation hearings before European Parliament committees would only be held for any new commissioners put forward or those who change portfolio.
He declined to say whether he wanted to negotiate with member states over the candidates. But top EU figures warned he would have to do more than replace Mr Buttiglione.
"This is not just about Mr Buttiglione's candidacy, although that is, to put it diplomatically, a difficult case," Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker said.
"There are three or four commissioners who did not have the support of the parliament. We need a somewhat broader change," Mr Juncker said.
Additional reporting Reuters