Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti had this to say earlier in the week:

If governments allow themselves to be entirely bound to the decisions of their parliament, without protecting their own freedom to act, a break up of Europe would be a more probable outcome than deeper integration.

Hmm….  The people’s representatives should be disregarded when Government Knows Better?  So much for the Sovereign People.

He went on, though, in a vein that leads me to believe that he’s not so much anti-democratic as he is simply incompetent, saying that if the euro were allowed to become a factor in Europe drifting apart,

then all the foundations of the European Project will be destroyed.

Of course the euro is at the core of the “European Project,” since it was designed as the tool with which the varying nations of Europe would be drawn together.  On top of which, without a common currency, there can be no expectation of a common Europe: it would be like each of the united States under the Articles of Confederation having its own currency as well as the use of everyone else’s.

Oh, wait….

Of course, a day later, Monti…clarified, suggesting that his remarks had been intended to support “constant and systemic dialogue” between governments and parliaments; however, when it comes to government negotiations at the European level

a certain amount of flexibility is necessary in order to reach agreements.

And he added this

Every government has a duty to explain itself and interact in a dynamic, transparent and effective way with parliament[.]

Fill the square of discussing, then overrule the parliament.  And notice his fundamental view of parliament, expressed twice above: government is separate from parliament, and above it.  The people’s representatives have no place in the government, except at government’s sufferance.

Again: hmm….