Talk:Vice-President of the European Commission

This is a useful start and a good framework to place names in a historic series. Please note that three European Communities have or had vice-presidents if one includes the Coal and Steel Community High Authority. The colleges have members who are not defined by nationality or political party. The Commissions were to be honest brokers for Europe. The ECSC had one co-opted member. Members were not allowed to take any paying or non-paying job in the sector for three years after they left office. The EEC treaty says that any nationality cannot have more than two members, and that includes Luxembourg. There is nothing about France or Germany having two members. Commission Members have in contrast to bad political practice or abuse to be independent of governments, and by implication political parties. We should firstly define what the treaties say. Secondly say what governments do which is quite often in violation of the treaties. The early members of the Commissions were ordinary, non-political citizens. Jean Monnet, first president of the High Authority never had a party card. Hallstein was a former Law professor, Louis Armand, first president of Euratom was an engineer. The posts of Commission Members are open to all citizens. The treaties define how they should be chosen. Only 2 per cent of the population have party cards but this 2 per cent is now dominating the choice of Commission members, because governments are not choosing the most independent, experienced candidates. There are many European NGOs who have members with practical experience and independence. According to the treaty these should be considered once the governments revert to the principles, letter and spirit of the treaties at the origin of the EU and words of the present Nice Treaty. Robert1886 (talk) 19:18, 29 June 2008 (UTC)