# CE2004078EN.01029202.xml

| 27.3.2004 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | CE 78/292 |
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27.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

CE 78/292

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(2004/C 78 E/0293)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3492/03

by José Ribeiro e Castro (UEN) to the Commission

(17 November 2003)

Subject:   Romano Prodi — Manifesto

Subject:

The President of the Commission has written a text entitled ‘Europa: il sogno, le scelte’ explicitly directed to the Italian centre-left parties, calling on them to unite in a single list for the forthcoming European elections and act unitedly in the ensuing Parliament.

This initiative produced an immediate reaction from the Italian opposition parties, and comprehensive criticism from the parties comprising the government majority, having already been repudiated by representatives of European political groups. Italian political commentators have even stated that the Commission President was positioning himself as the possible leader of the left in Italy, with a view to the elections next June.

Can the Commission answer the following:

| — | How does the Commission view the initiative taken by its President? Does it believe it to be compatible with the nature of his duties, as set out in Article 211 et seq. of the EC Treaty? How does it guarantee the impartiality of its political guidelines and interventions, which are legally the responsibility of its President? Specifically, how does it assess it in the light of the principles of separation of powers, independence, and general interest of the Community? How does it define and delimit what counts as ‘intervention in the internal politics’ of the Member State? |
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How does the Commission view the initiative taken by its President? Does it believe it to be compatible with the nature of his duties, as set out in Article 211 et seq. of the EC Treaty? How does it guarantee the impartiality of its political guidelines and interventions, which are legally the responsibility of its President? Specifically, how does it assess it in the light of the principles of separation of powers, independence, and general interest of the Community? How does it define and delimit what counts as ‘intervention in the internal politics’ of the Member State?

| — | Is Romano Prodi going to resign as President of the Commission in order to pursue his party political intervention in Italian politics? Or does the Commission feel comfortable with a President who appears to have stepped directly into the disputed leadership of the left in Italy? How does it intend to guarantee the impartiality of its acts and opinions from now on? |
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Is Romano Prodi going to resign as President of the Commission in order to pursue his party political intervention in Italian politics? Or does the Commission feel comfortable with a President who appears to have stepped directly into the disputed leadership of the left in Italy? How does it intend to guarantee the impartiality of its acts and opinions from now on?

Answer given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission

(16 December 2003)

(16 December 2003)

The Honourable Member is referred to the discussions that took place during the debate on the Commission's work programme at Parliament's November 2003 part-session and to the remarks made by the Commission President on the matter at hand.

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