Berlusconi fights back after losing EU justice portfolio

El País quotes Italian premier-elect, Silvio Berlusconi, as saying that “it’s better to occupy yourself with transport than with homosexuals”, after Italy lost the justice portfolio to France.

The paper says he was probably referring to the rejection in 2004 of his nominee for justice commissioner, Rocco Buttiglione, who was eliminated by the European parliament for having homophobic views.

The paper goes on to say that Berlusconi made the comments as a jibe to his predecessor, Romano Prodi, who he criticised for having negotiated with the commission over the reshuffle this week.

Italy will take up the transport portfolio when, as is likely to happen, justice commissioner Franco Frattini resigns.

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