The European Commission: Plateau? Permanent decline?

Article abstract:

The Convention on the Future of Europe marks the fifth round of European Union (EU) Treaty reforms in 18 years. Yet another round of institutional tinkering raises the question of whether the EU's main institutions are chronically ill. This article focuses on the European Commission, which has fallen from a lofty position of leadership to the point where its power and purpose under Romano Prodi are subject to profound new doubts. This article argues that despite very
serious problems, the Commission is more powerful than it often appears. It certainly needs reform, but is still likely to enjoy a future that is considerably brighter than its recent past.