I can think that you are mistaken, but I have to be ready to give my life to maintain your right to make mistakes. I have to, though, have the right to say that you're mistaken. This is the principal of the liberal society.

Berlusconi outraged that he had been ousted by the Parliament of Italy unsuccessfully requested new elections. On 11 October the committee voted by 27-26 not to endorse the nomination. The PES ALDE and Green/EFA groups expressed reservations regarding Buttiglione's ability to take positive political action in the area of citizens' rights particularly in regards combating discrimination and threatened to reject the entire proposed Commission.

He served as a minister for EU policies (from 2001 to 2005) and then as Minister for Cultural Assets and Activities (from 2005 to 2006) in Silvio Berlusconi's governments. In 2005 Buttiglione received an honorary doctoral degree for his commitment to the ideas of liberty. Buttiglione is a Professor of political science at Saint Pius V University in Rome and member of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences.