It has lost its political authority in recent years, partly because it was such a shambles under Mr Prodi's predecessor, Jacques Santer, who resigned in March.

ECONOMIST: Europe??s future

Although Brussels Eurocrats, depressed after the two ineffective commission presidencies of Jacques Santer and Romano Prodi, hanker after a man with the grand dreams and vaulting ambition of Jacques Delors, president in 1985-95, who pushed through the single market and plans for monetary union, a low-key but effective president may now be just what is needed.

ECONOMIST: European Commission

It was also that the commission's president, Jacques Santer, was too weak to control them.

ECONOMIST: A message for Europe