Masters level - Has the European comm been in decline since the early 1990's

i am trying to write an essay with regards to whether the European Commission has been in political decline since the ealry 1990's.  i was going to consider the following
For decline
- the introduction of co-decision and subsequent reduction in the influence of the comm
- Increasing power of the ep (the drive to compensate for the democractic deficit)  
- issues with regards to maladministration and the resignation of the Santer comm (i.e. public loss of confidence, need for reform)

against decline
- not overestimating the affect of co-decision
- increases in power of have tended to be small and incremental i.e. Commission is now able to bring a member state to the Court of Justice after it refuses to comply with the judgement of the Court, and impose a financial penalty on it.

Any suggestions - ie stuff i'm missing?