Italy has called for the direct election of the heads of the European Union Commission and the European Council, saying there could be a single president of both institutions.
"The fact that in the EU, legislation is initiated by unelected people - however capable - that is to say by the Commission, is a flaw in the bloc's democratic institutions," foreign minister Antonio Tajani said on Wednesday.
EU citizens could directly elect a sole president of the EU Commission - the bloc's executive - and of the European Council - its top decision-making body - according to Tajani.
"Together with a stronger European Parliament, it is a way to bring Europe closer to the citizens," Tajani said on the sidelines of a Nato foreign ministers' meeting in Brussels.
In June, EU citizens will vote to elect members of the 720-seat European Parliament, who pass new policies and laws. The parliament currently elects the European Commission president, who is proposed by the European Council. The Council elects its own president.
