Antonio Tajani replaces Frattini as European Commissioner

Vineri, 9 mai 2008, 16:24 Actualitate

The new Italian government named Antonio Tajani as new representative of Italy in the European Commission, taking the place of Franco Frattini, who was named Interior and Justice Minister. EC president Jose Manuel Barroso already confirmed Tajani's nomination and reconfirmed his intention to put him in charge of the Transport portfolio. The former Transport commissioner, French Jacques Barrot, will take over the Justice portfolio.

55-year old Antonio Tajani is a Law School graduate and former journalist. Rumors about his nomination begun as soon as Berlusconi won the elections in Italy. The Socialist, the Green and the Liberal groups within the European Parliament expressed their concern on the fact that a center-right Italian will handle the sensitive questions about immigration. It seems that this attitude convinced Barroso to make the switch in portfolios.