If the EU wants to be truly democratic and show willingness to listen to the people of the EU then the president of the European parliament and, more importantly, the EU commission president should be elected by the people of Europe.
This act will have four benefits:

It will make the politicians more accountable to the citizens.
It will give a greater voice to the citizens.
It will increase the interest of the EU across Europe.
It will give the presidents proper mandates to preside over the EU citizens.

I am willing to start a movement that lobbies for this change if there is enough agreement to start with.

I'm not sure.. Seems much more complicated than that..

I think we all agree on two points (hehe, almost all).
(a) We want a more democratic EU (b) We DONT want the EU to become a US-like super state.

so, yes we have to vote, but we also have to make sure that the power will not go to one single person. Can you imagine a person directly elected by all the europeans, what great power will possess?
Geez, the more the power, the more the corruption.. So although I'm a strong pro-eu supporter, i don't agree. I think that the president as you describe it, will be imposed on us from the mass-media i.e the economic elite, the bankers the big corporations.. pfft. horrifying..
Let's try to strengthen the EU parliament and the national parliaments instead...

The Institute for Cultural Diplomacy (ICD) is pleased to announce four programs taking place in Berlin throughout February 2009. All programs are currently accepting applications…
The ICD Academy for Cultural Diplomacy (2nd – 6th February, 2009) Europe Meets Latin America: A Forum for Young Leaders (9th – 13th February, 2009)
Cultural Diplomacy in Europe: A Forum for Young Leaders (16th – 20th February, 2009)

Cultural Diplomacy in Africa: A Forum for Young Leaders (23rd – 27th February, 2009)
The ICD is an international, not-for-profit, non-governmental organization focused on the theoretical and practical promotion of cultural exchange as a tool for improving relations in all areas. To learn more about our activity, please visit http://www.culturaldiplomacy.org.

The ICD programs bring together Young Leaders from across the world for an analysis of cultural diplomacy, an exploration of the relationship between their cultures, and to create a sustainable network between likeminded individuals. Participants are encouraged to use the networks they develop to organize their own leadership initiatives in the future.

The ICD Academy for Cultural Diplomacy (2nd – 6th February 2009) The ICD offers the Academy for Cultural Diplomacy to allow individuals of all backgrounds to gain an introduction in, or deepen their knowledge of, the field of Cultural Diplomacy. A diverse, inter-disciplinary curriculum featuring leading figures from the public sector, private sector and civil society will stimulate discussions of the salient issues in the field of Cultural Diplomacy today.
Further information: www.culturaldiplomacy.org/index.php?en_icdacademy_introduction Enquiries: academy@culturaldiplomacy.org

Europe Meets Latin America: A Forum for Young Leaders (9th – 13th February 2009)
Europe Meets Latin America: A Forum for Young Leaders will bring together young leaders for a consideration of the bi-regional relationship between Europe and Latin America, and an exploration of important issues. Areas of focus will include regional Vs. national identity, the influence of development criteria on economic relations, and a consideration of the importance of cultural exchange in strengthening ties.

Further information: www.culturaldiplomacy.org/index.php?en_program_emla_introduction Enquiries: emla@culturaldiplomacy.org

Cultural Diplomacy in Europe: A Forum for Young Leaders (16 – 20 February 2009)
Cultural Diplomacy in Europe: A Forum for Young Leaders (CDE) has been designed to bring together young, influential people from Europe and across the world to explore the need for, and practice of, Cultural Diplomacy within Europe. Through carefully selected case studies and workshops, CDE will encourage the participants to explore the role cultural exchange can play in addressing regional, national, and local cultural divisions in Europe.

Further information: www.culturaldiplomacy.org/index.php?en_program_cdie_introduction Enquiries: europe@culturaldiplomacy.org

Cultural Diplomacy in Africa: A Forum for Young Leaders (23 – 27 February 2009)
Cultural Diplomacy in Africa: A Forum for Young Leaders (CDA) was developed to address the urgent need for cultural diplomacy on the African continent. CDA will consider how Cultural Diplomacy can help to strengthen relations between different cultural groups within Africa, will highlight and look at examples of initiatives that currently exist in this area, and will encourage discussions on the role that external influences can, and should, place in the development of Africa.
Further information: www.culturaldiplomacy.org/index.php?en_program_cda_introduction Enquiries: cda@culturaldiplomacy.org