I have no problem with appointing good technocrats who are competent at filling a particular role.  However the bigger problem here seems to me to be a lack of public identification and engagement (+/-) with the European project as a whole.  

Certainly having European institutions working competently and effectively is a good start, but my sense is that populist euro-scepticism will continue to gain ground so long as there are no eloquent leaders making the case for greater EU cohesion and coordination in a way which captures the imagination of European people as a whole and which helps in the building of a more vibrant EU demos.

All the popular political moment seems to be with people trying to dismantle the European proeject and reduce it to a free trade area and even a resounding yes vote in Ireland will do little to change hat.  Hence the need for more effective leadership and Council level.

notes from no w here