MEPs have been engaged in a furious battle recently over the new European Commission. And the outcome could affect the balance of power in Europe for many years to come.
What the Commission does is political and therefore it should be answerable to MEPs as well as national governments. What's more, the Commissioners can't afford to ignore us. They spend EU money and we have a big say over the purse strings. After all, if you've got them by the euros, their hearts and minds will soon follow.
A new Commission can only take office after winning the approval of the European Parliament. When MEPs grilled the nominees this autumn, major doubts were raised about five of them, especially the Italian candidate Rocco Buttiglione's suitability to deal with human rights. He should have been shifted to another post, but, unfortunately, the Commission President-elect and the Italian government wouldn't listen.
This raised a fundamental democratic principle. Who should have the final say, an elected Parliament or an unelected Commission? We refused to approve the new Commission and eventually, we won the day. The Commission President-elect met most of our demands and, as a result, MEPs last week voted overwhelmingly to approve his new team -- minus Mr Buttiglione.
The last few weeks have been very difficult. But I believe the EU has emerged stronger and better able to serve its citizens. The European Parliament has come of age. And above all, democracy has won through.
GARY TITLEY MEP, Spring Lane, Radcliffe, Manchester.
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