European Parliament flexing its muscles

At the moment, the
European Parliament is in a particularly strong position, as the EU
waits for the confirmation of Barroso's new team of Commissioners by
Parliament. MEP's are using this momentum: By forcing the retreat of
the Bulgarian nominee for the post of the Aid Commissioner, Rumiana
Jeleva, and by sharply criticizing the new foreign policy chief,
Catherine Ashton -- who as Vice-President of the Commission also
depends on Parliament's confirmation -- , for an alleged lack of
visibility in the EU's aid efforts for Haiti. On Jeleva's retreat read
the
EU Observer or the
New York Times. On the criticism of Ashton, see the
EU Observer and
a commentary by the Economist's Charlemagne. (Source: Global Europe Morning Brief (20-1))