Europe has to avoid old prejudices and new ones. That means north versus south, rich versus poor.

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.

I believe that reforms will not really take hold if they do not gradually come into the culture of the people.

A lot of the American press at the time was saying 'just watch what happens when Bertelsmann tries to buy EMI, that will be a moment of truth that will show the Commission's true colors.' Well, that deal never happened either.

There is no government in Europe where ministers go through that kind of confirmation process, which in fact is modeled on the way the U.S. cabinet members are confirmed.

It is rather unusual for Italy to be at the forefront of pro-market initiatives.

If Spain goes under, Italy will come under even more scrutiny.