Brussels, 13/05/2008 (Agence Europe) - Italian Antonio Tajani, an MEP close to Silvio Berlusconi, has been nominated by the Italian government to become a member of the European Commission, in agreement with Commission President José Manuel Barroso, the Commission announced on Thursday 8 May. Tajani will replace Franco Frattini, who was recalled to the Italian government after the recent elections. Barroso intends to award the justice, freedom and security portfolio to Vice-President Jacques Barrot, and to give the transport portfolio, for which Barrot is currently responsible, to Tajani, the Commission said. Before formally taking up his post, Tajani will have to be appointed by the Council, acting by qualified majority, and undergo a hearing at the European Parliament transport committee, which will provide an opinion, before his appointment is approved by the plenary session of the Parliament. Since Barrot is simply shifting in his area of responsibility, he will simply have to appear before the European Parliament civil liberties committee. (B.C.)