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9 News: Seán Whelan, Europe Editor, reports on the controversy over the nomination of Rocco Buttiglione to the EU Commission
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6.1 News: Seán Whelan, Europe Editor, reports as the controversial Italian withdraws his candidacy
Italy's nominee to the European Commission, Rocco Buttiglione, has said he is stepping down in the wake of the controversy over his candidacy.
He told a news conference in Rome he was offering his resignation to smooth the way for the commission.
Last Wednesday its incoming president, Jose Manuel Barroso, was forced to withdraw all his nominees for the executive because of opposition in the European Parliament to Mr Buttiglione's views on homosexuals and women.
Yesterday the Italian Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi, hinted that his government would name another candidate for the job.
