MEPs: 'Buttiglione should not be justice Commissioner'

5.42.27pm UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 8th Oct 2004

MEPs from Liberal and left groups in the European Parliament's Civil Liberties Committee are seeking to prevent the allocation of European Commissioner-designate Rocco Buttiglione to the 'Justice, Freedom and Security' portfolio.

The decision is being postponed to the committee meeting next Monday as these groups and the Christian Democrat-Conservative EPP (Mr Buttligione's party) have been unable to agree so far.

The Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE), Socialists, Greens and Communists will try to persuade the committee to call on Commission President José Manuel Barroso to reconsider the nomination of Mr Buttiglione for this portfolio without satisfactory undertakings as to his future conduct.

Baroness Sarah Ludford, London MEP and European justice spokeswoman for the Liberal Democrats said:

"Mr. Buttiglione's performance during the hearing was extremely disappointing. This is not cheap party-political games; he really is not up to the job, due to his lack of enthusiasm, knowledge and intellectual weight for this key responsibility."

"Obviously his unsound position on anti-discrimination and immigration are particular worries. But at least as disturbing was his failure to convince that he could champion more accountable decision-making, more effective law enforcement but also vital civil liberties concerns like data protection. He just had not thought through these matters."