He spends the European dimension of these policies

The next European Council will be held under the chairmanship of Czech Prime Minister, reassuring perspective for many after the French tornado, punctuated by an insatiable activism. Stunned, the European Caravanserai discovered that he could quickly take decisions on difficult topics.

As a result, the French Presidency balance by an impressive balance, recognized by almost all political groups in the European Parliament.

The Treaty of Lisbon, blocked by the success of "no" in Ireland, was relaunched. The ratifications have continued, and for an ultimate concession (the maintenance of a representative of each State in the future European Commission), a new referendum should be held in Ireland in 2009. The idea that Europe can finally the institutional quagmire in which it is mired since Maastricht found a semblance of credibility.

Similarly, the European strategy to combat climate change is now translated into facts. In the field of immigration and asylum, a Pact has been approved. He spends the European dimension of these policies. Space without borders of Schengen found her during migration policy.

Finally, at the compulsory figures were added the Georgian crisis, the collapse of the markets and the economic crisis. It is on these issues that the French Presidency has printed its style around a waltz in three time: rapid reporting of the unacceptability of the situation; immediate convening of a Summit; Proclamation of an "agreement", all the more magnified that its consequences are unobtrusive. And, each time, the presence of José Manuel Barroso, President of the Commission, has played the role of surety European, convenient and accommodating... silent.

As the godmother of Cinderella, Nicolas Sarkozy has used the French Presidency of the Union to transform European pumpkin in coach. But midnight rang and the European Union could regain his usual routine. How to maintain the momentum initiated in recent months

European single thought will respond: by the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty. There is an illusion mechanistic in this response, as if the institutional rules determined policies. When she pinaille on the number of Commissioners or the respect of unanimity, it is losing and voters are not fooled. When, on the other hand, it mobilizes energies around a project pledge common benefits, it can take the decision. The Treaty of Rome was the instrument at the service of the common market, the single act of the Maastricht the vector of the single currency and the single market framework.

In a context of recession, which could be this new project Certainly in the economic and social field. The crisis requires increased coordination of budgetary policies, an overhaul of the supervisory and accounting rules, the creation of a single supervisory authority of banks and insurance, a strengthening of social dialogue, including with painful restructuring, and more tax harmonization. For the time, under the guise of ambitious figures (1.5 of GDP...), the stimulus program is a cluster of more or less coordinated national action. Above all, they are inspired by old budgetary revenue, aligning the kilometres of highways rather than accelerate environmental investments.

This approach is also revealing the intergovernmental tropism that weighs today on Europe and the marginalization of the European Commission. The essence of its mission is not "keep" the treaties and to initiate infringement proceedings against States which do not respect Community legislation, but to exercise its exclusive right of initiative.

But the success of the French Presidency is accompanied by a weakening of the Commission. Reduced to the rank of technical efforts of the Presidency and little keen goalkeeper of the competition rules, the Commission has followed the French movement. It disappeared, will that its credibility and its capacity for action

A first test may be its ability to mobilize States around a strengthening of the Community budget of investment to contribute to the support of the conditions accompanying the implementation of the energy-climate package. The Commission announced its intention to review the major chapters of the European budget in the coming months: covered as of budgetary balance, it is the level of ambition of Europe which will be at stake. Is to be hoped without too many illusions that the calculations related to the renewal of the Commission will not reduce to nil the hopes of those who want a strong and dynamic Europe...