Rocco Buttiglione
Rocco Buttiglione Minister of Culture and Tourism In office 23 April 2005 – 17 May 2006 Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi Deputy Antonio Martusciello Preceded by Giuliano Urbani Succeeded by Francesco Rutelli Minister of European Affairs In office 11 June 2001 – 23 April 2005 Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi Preceded by Gianni Francesco Mattioli Succeeded by Giorgio La Malfa Personal details Born (1948-06-06) 6 June 1948 (age 66) Gallipoli, Italy Political party Christian Democracy (Before 1994) People's Party (1994–1995) United Christian Democrats 1995–2002) Union of Christian and Centre Democrats (2002–present) Rocco Buttiglione (Italian pronunciation: [ˈrɔkko buttiʎˈʎone]; born 6 June 1948) is an Italian Union of Christian and Centre Democrats politician and an academic. Buttiglione's nomination for a post as European Commissioner with a portfolio that was to include civil liberties, resulted in controversy as some political groups opposed him for his conservative Roman Catholic views against homosexuality, despite his assurances that these were only his personal convictions and would not dictate his administration. Buttiglione is a Professor of political science at Saint Pius V University in Rome, and member of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences. He served as a minister for EU policies (from 2001 to 2005) and then as Minister for Cultural Assets and Activities (from 2005 to 2006) in Silvio Berlusconi's governments. In 2005 Buttiglione received an honorary doctoral degree for his commitment to the ideas of liberty. In May 2006, he unsuccessfully ran for mayor of Turin.