1. well experienced in long negotiations of EU government heads,
   
2. not to be expected to try to overshadow every other institution of the EU and gain extra powers,
   
3. someone from a small EU member.

However, the more important position, also coming up for selection, is (should be) that of Commission President, and I'd be fine with Prodi returning. Even finer with a PES candidate, say Rasmussen (Poul Nyrup, not the awful Anders Fogh).

_{*Lunatic*, n.
One whose delusions are out of fashion.}