Italy's Franco Frattini has formally stepped down as European Commission vice president in charge of justice, freedom and security affairs as he has taken uphis new post as foreign minister in his home country, a commission spokesman confirmed on Thursday.
"Vice President Frattini has accepted to join the Italian government as a minister and consequently he submitted his resignation to (European) Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso," said commission spokesman Johannes Laitenberger.
Frattini has been on unpaid leave for electoral campaigning in Italy since March 14.
Following Frattini's departure, the Italian government will have to designate a successor to Frattini. But Frattini's portfolio has been taken over by another commission vice president, Jacques Barrot, since the start of Frattini's leave.
Barroso has announced that the shift will be made permanent should Frattini leave the commission and that the Italian successor to Frattini will take up Barrot's transport portfolio instead.
The new commissioner from Italy will not be automatically made a commission vice president. A decision will not be taken until the new commissioner takes office, said the spokesman.
Source:Xinhua
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