Some reflections on the European Commission’s changing roles

In this chapter, I focus on the institutional structure of the EU, and in particular on the Commission and how its role has changed as a result of the many crises that have struck in the past ten years or so. After a brief introduction, highlighting some broader areas of concern as to the institutional balance in the EU and the increasing formal powers enjoyed by the Commission, especially but not only in the fi eld of economic governance ( section II ), I will concentrate on the exercise by the Commission of informal powers especially in the fi eld of migration, to highlight concerns about accountability of the Commission and transparency of its action ( section III ). 11 I will then conclude with some suggestions, including disposing of the one Commissioner per Member State rule; separating the political role of the Commission from its role as guardian of the Treaties; ensuring greater involvement of the European Parliament in at least some fi elds of economic governance; ensuring transparency and accountability in relation to all Commission action; and limiting the scope of Commission action to fields where the EU has already exercised its competence ( section IV ).