To The Economist
04 April 2003
Sir
So France, Germany, Belgium and Luxembourg wish to merge their political institutions to form a common policy in all EU and other international bodies? That is up to them, but it would plainly involve some restructuring of the EU's institutions. The new country could have two commissioners, instead of the current six, which would help the slim the body down. It would have a little over twice the population of the second largest member state (Italy) which would, on the current pattern, give it a vote in the Council of Ministers and European Parliament about 50% greater than either Italy or the UK. No doubt Messrs Berlusconi, Blair and Aznar will be delighted.
Yours truly,
Quentin Langley
Copyright © Quentin Langley 04 April 2003