By Bruno Waterfield - 28th October 2004
José Manuel Barroso is set for a major reshuffle to his EU executive line-up reviving old battles over plum Brussels policy portfolios.
The European Commission chief is planning to reallocate up to ten policy portfolios after his battle with MEPs over Rocco Buttiglione.
“I cannot accept a commission who will definitely have problems with the European Parliament,” he said.
“It maybe will mean there will be several changes.”
Barroso is intending to do more than just move the controversial Italian, whose views on gays, women and the family precipitated an inter-institutional tussle.
The rethink will concern up to ten commissioners, Barroso indicated on Thursday.
Between three and five commission members, at least, are set for a game of Berlaymont musical chairs.
Likely candidates for new jobs are Buttiglione, Danish agriculture appointee Mariann Fischer Boel, Dutch competition candidate Neelie Kroes, Hungarian energy commissioner-designate Laszlo Kovacs and proposed taxation commissioner Latvia’s Ingrida Udre.
Barroso hopes to be able to present the new commission within a month but the need to hold new parliament hearings will push an EU hand-over of power back into December.
He will be under pressure from MEPs, and some national governments, to do more than rearrange faces to policy places.
Changes of administration in some capitals and parliament’s opposition to some candidates, may see Barroso asking for new people to work with.
The reshuffle could reopen power bids for key EU jobs such as competition, upsetting Barroso’s previously fine balancing of national interests and European policy.
The former Portuguese leader is trying to convince Silvio Berlusconi, Italy's prime minister, to replace Buttiglione, his controversial nominee for the EU justice job.
Europe’s heads of state and government will grapple with the issue at an EU constitution signing ceremony in Rome today.
Italian foreign minister Franco Frattini may replace Buttiglione and another option is a Brussels return for well regarded current Italian competition commissioner Mario Monti.
Monti, keen to return to the EU executive turned down a Rome job in July only to be replaced by Buttiglione three weeks later after a Berlusconi government reshuffle.
The Pope has spoken up for Buttiglione calling for “reciprocal respect in a spirit of goodwill”.
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