There was in Italy a hidden demand for a boring government which would try to tell the truth in non-political jargon.

I hope that my government can help change Italian mentality.

It is very unusual for a country to ask guys who are not politicians to come and run the country.

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.

The Italian economy has been held back for decades.

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.