Brussels  - Franco Frattini has formally stepped down as the European Union's commissioner for justice, freedom and security following his appointment as foreign minister in the new Italian government of Silvio Berlusconi, officials in Brussels said Thursday.

"Frattini has accepted to join the Italian government as a minister and consequently has submitted his resignation to the (European) Commission president, Jose Manuel Barroso," said commission spokesman Johannes Laitenberger.

Frattini, who also acted as one of the EU executive's five vice-presidents, had taken unpaid leave while taking part in the April election campaign. During that period, he was replaced by Transport Commissioner Jacques Barrot of France.

Barrot will retain his new post as the EU's top justice official, meaning the Berlusconi government will have to designate a new transport commissioner instead.

"At this precise point in time I cannot yet give you any news on who that person will be," the spokesman told reporters.

The list of possible candidates is topped by Antonio Tajani, a conservative member of the European Parliament and a longtime associate of the Italian prime minister.

The new commissioner will have to be endorsed by Barroso and vetted by the European Parliament, and the switch of portfolio has raised speculation in Brussels that the commission chief did this to avoid a repetition of the Rocco Buttiglione case.

Buttiglione, a Catholic politician, had been Berlusconi's first choice of commissioner in 2004, but the European parliament vetoed his appointment after he said that he believed homosexuality to be a sin.

Berlusconi eventually designated Frattini in his place after parliament threatened to reject Barroso's entire proposed commission.

A decision on whether the new commissioner from Italy will also be made a commission vice-president will only be taken once he or she has formally assumed office, officials said. (dpa)