I believe that in Europe, we have a collective leadership.

My aspiration is not to be loved. It is that my government be respected and credible.

The two greatest priorities for my government are tackling tax evasion and corruption.

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.

In the area of macroeconomic policies, I think we'll see more centralization, like in the budgetary sphere.

If the euro becomes a factor promoting Europe's drifting apart, then the foundation of the European project is destroyed.

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.