Between rock and hard place in Brussels

Charles Grant, of the CER, says the commission draws extra fire because of its contradictory roles. It is at once the political body that initiates legislation and brokers compromises among EU members—but also the technical body that polices markets and rules. It is this technical role that has grown. "When it pronounces, say, that France may be given two further years in which to meet the 3% budget rule, is that the result of objective economic analysis or a reflection of the shifting political climate in national capitals? This ambiguity gives governments and others an excuse to criticize the commission," Mr. Grant argued in an article published on the CER website Thursday.