BRUSSELS, Nov. 15 (UPI) -- Three candidates for the European Commission face nomination hearings at the Europan Parliament this week after the withdrawal of nominee Rocco Buttiglione.
Franco Frattini, the Italian foreign minister, has been nominated in his place. He is to assume the justice portfolio and also become one of the commission's vice presidents.
Buttiglione stood down at the end of October after it became clear his nomination would not be accepted. He faced tough opposition from the parliament due to his views on homosexuality and women.
Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso had earlier withdrawn his proposed list of nominees because of the dispute.
Andris Piebalgs of Latvia is another new candidate, nominated to assume the energy post.
The third candidate, Laszlo Kovacs of Hungary, is standing for the taxation portfolio. Originally nominated for the energy job, he was reassigned after members of parliament who questioned him on his proposals declared him insufficiently competent for the role.
The European Parliamant will vote on the new team this week, and are expected to accept the re-shuffled nominations.
