Milanesi in line to lead Buttiglione’s cabinet

By Martin Banks

Date: 07/10/04

ONE of the European Commission's top civil servants is being strongly tipped to become head of cabinet for Rocco Buttiglione.

Enzo Moavero Milanesi, a 50-year-old Italian, has been deputy secretary-general of the Commission for nearly three years.

But speculation is rife that he is set to quit as joint number two to Irishman David O'Sullivan to take up the top post in Buttiglione's office.

The incoming commissioner for justice and home affairs is the only member of the Barroso Commission, which takes office on 1 November, yet to announce a chef de cabinet.

After his confirmation hearing before the committee on civil liberties, justice and home affairs at the European Parliament on Tuesday (5 October), Buttiglione said he had now selected his chef and deputy chef, but an official announcement would be made only when other positions in his six-strong team had been filled.

But a source close to 56-year-old Buttiglione said Milanesi was a "very strong" candidate to head his cabinet. If confirmed, it would mark the latest in a series of cabinet positions Milanesi has held since he joined the Commission in 1983 at the competition directorate-general.

Milanesi, who is married with three children, has also worked in the cabinets of former Commission vice- president Filippo Maria Pandolfi (1989-92) and then internal market and financial services commissioner Mario Monti (1995-99).

In 1993, Milanesi left the Commission for a year to head the European affairs secretariat in the cabinet of Italian premier Carlo Azeglio Ciampi. After resuming his Commission career, he spent 12 months in the executive's secretariat-general before going to Monti's cabinet. In 1999-2002 he was a director in DG Competition.

A lawyer by profession, he has lectured on EU law in several Italian universities. Milanesi was unavailable for comment but a Commission insider said: "He certainly has the track record for the top job in Buttiglione's cabinet."

Article speculates about the appointment of incoming European Commissioner Rocco Buttiglione's head of cabinet.