Italy’s European Affairs Minister
Member State: Italy
Political Party: UDC (Italian Christian Democrat)

Date of birth: 6 June 1948

Buttiglione is a political science professor in Rome and served as Italy’s European Affairs Minister from 2001-2006. In 2004, he was nominated by Italian President Silvio Berlusconi for the Barroso Commission as Commissioner for Justice, Freedom and Security. However, Buttiglione came under criticism for his belief that homosexuality is a sin. Berlusconi subsequently withdrew Buttiglione’s nomination.