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.

Growth in any individual European country has to be the result of policies for growth pursued in that country consistent with budgetary discipline.

I know this isn't a widespread view in the Anglo Saxon world, but I believe that much of the reconciliation between more centralized governance and the scope for democracy - democratic control - will be resolved through an even stronger role of the European Parliament.

The commission is determined to intervene in cases where measures taken by undertakings jeopardize the proper functioning of the single market, ... Such measures constitute a very serious infringement of European competition rules and must be dealt with severely.

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

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