Buttiglione wants to give Barroso 'free hand'

Italy’s choice for a European Commission post, who sparked an uproar with his comments on homosexuality and women, said today that he will step aside.

Rocco Buttiglione said he wanted to give a free hand to incoming Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso in forming a new executive. He made the announcement at a news conference a few hours after Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi indicated he was withdrawing Buttiglione as Italy’s nominee for the justice commissioner post.