That the European Union is fundamentally a political project is often obscured by its official image and bureaucratic practice. The reality has been dramatically reaffirmed in the confrontation between the European Parliament and the incoming European Commission president, Mr José Manuel Barroso.
Yesterday he delayed seeking ratification for his new Commission nominations from the parliament because he knew they would have been rejected.
This was a wise decision, reflecting the politics involved between the two bodies, EU leaders and their domestic party systems. Although it makes for a messy transition, it is a good outcome for the EU's democratic legitimacy because it creates a link between political argument at its highest levels and citizens in the member-states.
Ratifying the nominees for Commission portfolios is one of the European Parliament's most important democratic functions. In recent years its legislative and scrutineering role has increased greatly. The parliament has co-decision powers on most EU legislation, although the Commission retains its monopoly on initiating it.
Since most national legislation now has a substantial or even predominant European content it is essential that there be effective parliamentary scrutiny at that level in addition to that of national parliaments. Such links are lost or obscured for most voters because they are not connected up politically. The passionate arguments over the suitability of these nominations have certainly helped to forge or restore them.
Principally, Mr Barroso has come to grief over the Italian nominee to the Commission. Mr Rocco Buttiglione's failure in the parliament's hearings to distinguish clearly between his public responsibilities for the sensitive justice and home affairs portfolio and his private beliefs as a devout and traditionalist Catholic convinced most MEPs that he is not suitable for the post - so much so that they are prepared to jeopardise the Commission as a whole. This is an unprecedented political crisis for the EU, but one that can strengthen its democratic fabric if effectively addressed in coming weeks. Mr Barroso could shuffle several of his nominees, some of whom were judged almost as unsatisfactory as Mr Buttiglione.
If the latter's appointment to the Commission is withdrawn by the Italian prime minister, Mr Berlusconi, Mr Barroso's job would be simpler; but Christian Democrats in the parliament will be loath to bear the main cost of this affair. Mr Barroso's own partisanship in that respect, together with several misjudgments of people and political timing, mean he is also vulnerable should he fail to find acceptance for his next nominations.
The EU faces a major transition as it consolidates a continental enlargement, seeks to ratify the new constitutional treaty and takes on more security responsibilities in a more dangerous and uncertain world. Its leaders must ensure this political crisis is resolved in such a way as to strengthen its capacity to tackle these challenges.