Franco Frattini

Franco Frattini (born 14 March 1957 in Rome) is an Italian politician, currently serving as Italy's Foreign minister in the Berlusconi Cabinet. Before 8 May 2008 he served as European Commissioner for Justice, Freedom and Security and one of five vice-presidents of the 27-member Barroso Commission.

Career

Initially a member of the Italian Socialist Party, Frattini has been a member of Silvio Berlusconi's government since 2001, and Foreign minister of Italy since 14 November 2002; he is also a member of the centre-right party People of Freedom.

On 4 November 2004, he was nominated to take up the Justice and security portfolio in the Commission, in place of the controversial Rocco Buttiglione (who outed Frattini as a Freemason). His resignation from the Italian government took effect on 18 November. Deputy Prime Minister Gianfranco Fini succeeded him as Foreign Minister. Frattini has outlined his key priorities as: fundamental Rights and citizenship; the fight against terrorism and organised crime; immigration and asylum, visa and border issues; closer co-operation between police, judicial and customs authorities; ensuring all EU citizens have the same access to justice; and the Rights of the Child.

Frattini is outspoken in his opposition to violence and sexual content in videogames. In 2007 he called for a ban on the horror title Rule of Rose, and criticised the EU-endorsed PEGI system for granting the game a 16-years-or-over age...
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