Incoming European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said Thursday that he would stand by Rocco Buttiglione, his controversial nominee for EU Justice Commissioner. Some members of the European Parliament have called for Buttiglione to be reassigned or removed from the slate of proposed Commissioners after Buttiglione called homosexuality a sin during a hearing by an EU parliamentary review panel. The European Parliament cannot endorse or reject individual commissioners, and will vote next Wednesday on the entire commission. The Commission must receive approval from Parliament before it can take office on November 1. More information on the Parliament's review hearings is available here. AFP has more. BBC News has more on Barroso's efforts to appease the European Parliament.

Previously on JURIST's Paper Chase...

• EU Justice Commissioner may "renounce" new job
• EU committee opposes Justice Commissioner nominee
• EU chief defends Justice nominee nixed by review panel after saying homosexuality sin