Conflict over Buttiglione is a struggle for political influence, writes Denis Staunton in Brussels
The dispute over the appointment of Mr Rocco Buttiglione as the EU's next Justice and Home Affairs Commissioner has sparked a lively debate about civil rights, sexual minorities and the place of religious beliefs in public life. Above all, however, the row that now threatens the future of Mr José Manuel Barroso's entire Commission is a struggle for political influence between the European Parliament, the Commission, and 25 national governments.
In Brussels this week, as attempts were made to tally the level of support in Parliament for the Commission, some were reminded of the crisis that led to the resignation of Mr Jacques Santer's Commission in 1999.
At that time MEPs were angry about allegations of cronyism against the French commissioner, Ms Edith Cresson. Under EU rules, however, they were unable to punish Ms Cresson without voting against the entire Commission. Reluctantly, a majority of MEPs concluded that the only responsible course was to use the "nuclear option" and vote no confidence in the Commission.
The reservations today's MEPs have about appointing Mr Buttiglione to the Justice portfolio are substantial and, contrary to the claims of some of his supporters, are not rooted in anti-Catholic prejudice.
Mr Buttiglione's statements about homosexuality and marriage were made in a public parliamentary hearing and were in the context of a discussion on public policy. Despite his claims to oppose any kind of discrimination, he has opposed all attempts to reduce the level of discrimination experienced by homosexuals. At the Convention on the Future of Europe, he sought to delete references to sexual orientation from anti-discrimination clauses in the new treaty.
Most MEPs would be content to support the new Commission if he was moved to a less sensitive portfolio, although some have concerns about other commissioners too. Although the Parliament holds individual hearings of prospective commissioners, they cannot reject them individually but must vote on the entire team.
For his part, Mr Barroso has to accept the nominees for his team submitted by the EU's national governments - although all have promised to resign once in office if the Commission President asks them to do so.
MEPs acknowledge that allowing them to reject individual commissioners could create problems, not least because the political groups could engage in tit-for-tat action, picking off nominees from each other's political families. What they demand, however, is that Mr Barroso should take note of the outcome of the parliamentary hearings - a laborious process involving exchanges of questionnaires as well as a three-hour session questioning each commissioner-designate. Many feel the least he can do to acknowledge the importance of the Commission partnership with Parliament is to move Mr Buttiglione to a different post.