The Lisbon Treaty enters into force today and introduces provisions which will change the institutional balance of the EU. The democratic deficit which sprang, at least in part, from institutional weaknesses is now supposed to shrink under clearer administration and leadership of the Union. Yet the question remains of how EU citizens perceive the EU, what they know about it and how they see the changes brought about by the Lisbon Treaty. How might this change now?

Okay, well, it’s not what we could have hoped for. But it’s a new -if grey- morning over Europe and I want to see the good side of things. Everyone I can find who knows anything about Catherine Ashton says she’s very no-nonsense and competent. I’m willing to give her the benefit of the doubt. Of course they’re not the sexiest EU-team we could have dreamed of but let’s see who they are and what their style is. Copenhagen is a chance for this new leadership to prove themselves. That’s exactly what Baroness Cathy asked for yesterday. Let’s give it to her.

In Le Monde, Marion Van Renterghem notices that in the final straight, the Lisbon Treaty is not safe from a deadly fall.

In Coulisses de Bruxelles, UE, Jean Quatremer recapitulates the programme of the coming European year. Wishing you a Happy new European Year!

Speculation about who might be the first permanent President of the European Council manifests a desire for a European figurehead. If there is to be a European figurehead, we must insist that he or she be elected and publicly accountable.