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.

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

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.

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

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 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.