The challenges facing the new EU Commission

The new European Commission will take office in Brussels today under President José Manuel Barroso. The daily Les Echos stresses the challenges facing the body: "In this particularly difficult period, the end of Europe's lethargy and indecision ... is keenly awaited. It is high time for the executive to make its voice heard, formulate propositions and lead the way into the future. ... Nevertheless the authorities in Brussels know very well they must not entertain too many illusions. ... Because two difficulties loom large. The first is political. ... The crisis has shifted the centre of gravity in Europe from the federal to the intergovernmental level, and the governments concerned have no intention of backtracking here. ... The second difficulty is institutional. Of course it's important to take time, but the first steps of the new body at the head of Europe have not been at all convincing."

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