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Strasbourg, France -- Incoming European Union President Jose Manuel Barroso retreated Wednesday, avoiding a showdown with Parliament that would have seen his whole commission rejected. Barroso has steadfastly refused to replace anti-gay Italian Rocco Buttiglione as European Justice Commissioner, a role comparable to a cabinet position. During his confirmation hearings, earlier this month, Buttiglione told the civil liberties committee that homosexuality is a sin and that he did not support same-sex marriage. Buttiglione defended the traditional notion of heterosexual marriage with men in the role of protector of women. "The family exists to allow a woman to have children and to be protected by her husband," Buttiglione told the hearing. The committee said it would not approve Buttiglione. Under EU rules a single commissioner cannot be rejected. European presidents submit their entire commission to Parliament which must either accept or reject the whole package. The outrage by MEPs over Buttiglione's homophobia was so strong there was little chance the commission would be approved. Nevertheless Barroso refused to remove the contentious Buttiglione. This morning, Barroso, who takes over the presidency Nov. 1, was to have presented his commission to Parliament. Facing a crushing defeat Barroso stepped back from the precipice just minutes before the expected vote. He informed Parliament that he would not present his commission today and asked for more time to shape his 24-strong Commission team. That means the old Commission team, due to step down next week, will stay on as a "caretaker" administration allowing Barroso more time to either find a way of dumping Buttiglione, a favorite of the Vatican and right wingers, or winning enough votes to ensure acceptance of his commission.
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