The European Commission remained tight-lipped Monday over the fate of an Italian commissioner-in-waiting who has sparked a political storm for describing homosexuality as a "sin."

Rocco Buttiglione, designated as EU justice commissioner in the new EU executive set to take office on November 1, was rejected by a European Parliament committee last week for his outspoken comments.

Incoming Commission boss Jose Manuel Barroso has sought to play down the significance of the comments by Buttiglione, who also described the role of women as to have children and to support their husbands.

But the row threatens to overshadow talks Barroso is due to hold Thursday with the European Parliament, which in theory can reject the new 25-member Commission when it votes on the matter next week.

"Mr Barroso continues to be confident that at the end of this process his team can receive the (EU assembly's) approval," said Barroso spokeswoman Pia Ahrenkilde.

"Thursday's meeting will be a very important meeting in that respect."

She was asked repeatedly whether Barroso has confidence in Buttiglione as an individual, but would only comment on the Commission-in-waiting as a whole. The Parliament can veto the entire new team, but not single members.

"Mr Barroso will take all the necessary contacts to make (Thursday's) meeting ... a success," she added.

On Sunday the cigar-chomping Buttiglione bluntly blamed an "anti-Christian inquisition" waged by sections of the European parliament for the storm over his nomination.

"There is a hate-campaign being waged against me," the conservative Catholic claimed, adding that "whatever I say is being interpreted the wrong way."