Plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose? Attempting to reform the European Commission

The resignation of the Santer Commission has brought the longstanding debate about Commission reform to the front of the EU agenda. The issues for Commission reform include the redefinition of its roles in all three pillars, how its President is appointed, the role of vice-presidents, the number of Commissioners, collegiality and the right of censure. In all these areas the reform agenda has remained the same for twenty-five years, because previous efforts to reform have been partial and the evolution of the Commission's role and functions has never been linked to a fully-fledged reform concept. But if there are hopes that the current attempts will be more successful, there are also doubts about the resolve of member states to make a practical success of their stated intentions. A review of the issues in light of the appointment of the Prodi Commission shows that the jury is still out on Commission reform.