Editing Prodi Commission (section)

==History==
The commission took office on 16 September 1999<ref>{{CELEX|41999D0627|text=1999/627/EC, ECSC, Euratom: Decision of the Representatives of the Governments of the Member States of the European Communities of 15 September 1999 appointing the President and the Members of the Commission of the European Communities}}</ref> following the scandal and subsequent resignation of the [[Santer Commission]] which had damaged the reputation of the institution. The college consisted of 20 [[European Commissioner|Commissioners]] which grew to 30 following the [[Enlargement of the European Union]] in 2004. It was the last commission to see two members allocated to the larger [[European Union member state|member states]].

This commission (the 10th) saw in increase in power and influence following the [[Amsterdam Treaty]]. Some in the media described president Prodi as being the first "Prime Minister of the [[European Union]]".<ref>[http://www.iht.com/articles/1999/04/16/eu.2.t_0.php Prodi to Have Wide, New Powers as Head of the European Commission] iht.com 16 April 1999</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20010406003725/http://www.businessweek.com/1999/99_39/b3648256.htm Commentary: Romano Prodi: Europe's First Prime Minister? (int'l edition)] Businessweek.com 1999</ref>

As well as the enlargement and Amsterdam Treaty, the Prodi Commission also saw the signing and enforcement of the [[Treaty of Nice (2001)|Nice Treaty]] as well as the conclusion and signing of the [[European Constitution]]: in which he introduced the "Convention method" of negotiation. From 1999 Prodi saw in the [[euro]] and by 2002 it came into cash form and the single currency for 12 of the EU's 15 member states.<ref>[http://ec.europa.eu/commission_barroso/president/history/prodi/index_en.htm Discover the former Presidents: The Prodi Commission], [[Europa (web portal)]], retrieved 23 August 2007</ref> The body was however criticised for being lacklustre, with poor communication and failing to make an impact despite major events such as enlargement and the euro.<ref>[http://www.bmbrussels.be/box_bmnewcomm.php BM: The new Commission – some initial thoughts] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060923001700/http://www.bmbrussels.be/box_bmnewcomm.php |date=23 September 2006 }} bmbrussels.be 2004</ref>

The commission was due to leave office on 31 October 2004, but due to opposition from the [[European Parliament]] to the proposed [[Barroso Commission]] which would succeed it, it was extended and finally left office on 21 November 2004.