As 'moral suasion' or veiled threats become less effective, it is not surprising that governments feel more tempted to use outright opposition.

As to the question of elected or not elected, each member of the European Commission has been appointed jointly by the governments of the 15 member states, and undergone individual scrutiny and a vote of confidence from the European Parliament.

If governments let themselves be fully bound by the decisions of their parliaments without protecting their own freedom to act, a breakup of Europe would be a more probable outcome than deeper integration.

I would be grateful if my name wasn't considered for a role whose profile and significance does not escape me, but which is not in my plans.

Italy even in the future will not need aid from the European Financial Stability Fund.

I deplore attempts to misinform the public and to trigger political intervention. This is out of place in an anti-trust case and has no impact on the Commission.