Barroso warns MEPs over rejection of anti-gay Italian

[Kellanved]

The incoming president of the European Commission gave warning today of a "crisis" if MEPs veto the new EU executive over the inclusion of an Italian who considers homosexuality a sin and thinks women should stay at home and have children.

Jose Manuel Barroso is refusing to bow to demands from European Parliament leftwingers who want Rocco Buttiglione, the Italian nominee for justice commissioner, transferred to another job.

The MEPs were outraged by Signor Buttiglione's illiberal views expressed during his nomination hearing. They have threatened to veto all 25 commissioners-designate, as they have no power to weed out individual nominees.

...
The arithmetic ahead of tomorrow's vote is too close to call. Among the 732 MEPs, only the conservative European People's Party, which holds 268 seats, is backing the Barroso Commission.
...
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,3-1329510,00.html

[Rochambeau]

1. "outraged by Signor Buttiglione's illiberal views "

illiberal views? Maybe it's because I'm not familiar with english but I don't perfectly understand what it means...
Il signor Buttiglione is an anti-human-progress politician (yes I know it's not good english but nevermind I say it that way).
I'm absolutely OK if they veto the entire commission because it sucks anyway and il signor Buttiglione is an insult to the credibility of the European political representation. Screw that joke of a commission (Jacques Barrot the french commisar for transportations is a 1st class dumbass for exemple and my "freaky freepa gut feeling" tells me he's certainly not the only one).

[reticulatus]

3. "Liberal" is not a dirty word in Europe

Unlike the US, where the word "liberal" has been thrown around as an insult over the last few days, the Europeans regard "liberal" as middle of the road, thoughtful and well balanced. So, "illiberal" means "right-wing redneck".

[davidinalameda]

2. he's not the only problem child

there's another one--can't remember who--who didn't disclose some financial dealings that would be a conflict of interest if s/he was approved