Earlier this year, 12,000 applications flooded into Brussels for what could be among the most coveted jobs on the Continent: bureaucrat. With only 125 available spots, the competition was fierce and attracted many of Europe's brightest. Candidates must be fluent in two European languages other than their mother tongue and have a strong knowledge of European Union government, with its myriad complexities. But even the lucky few who are selected aren't guaranteed a posting—just a place on a "reserve list" for future jobs. But who's complaining Salaries are relatively high, starting at 48,000 euros per year, plus a generous 16 percent ex-pat allowance. Jobs are generally for life. In addition, Brussels boasts some of the best quality of life in Europe. Rents are low, and the city has more restaurants per capita than any other European capital. Every night the sidewalk bars of the newly restored Place de Luxembourg overflow with young "Eurocrats."
But the glory days are drawing to a close. After 50 years of rule making—and charges that the EU was out of touch with its citizens—power is shifting away from the unaccountable bureaucrat. The new reform treaty, agreed upon by EU leaders in October, awards greater authority to the directly elected European Parliament. For the people of Europe that's one more step toward democracy, and a step away from rule by bureaucracy—and, indeed, this is no ordinary bureaucracy.
双语环球新闻：人人都想去欧盟上班
今年早些时候，布鲁塞尔收到12000份申请，竞争欧洲大陆最令人垂涎的工作：官员。只有125个职位，但竞争非常激烈，并且吸引了欧洲最聪明的人士。候选人除母语以外必须能流利地说两种欧洲国家的语言，并且必须熟知欧盟错综复杂的政府机构。但即使是少数幸运的被录取的人也不能保证能上岗，只是被列入“备用名单”以备分配未来的工作。即便如此，又有谁会抱怨呢？每年48000欧元的工资相对来说是高的，还有16%在国外工作的津贴，而工作基本上是终身制的。另外，布鲁塞尔在生活质量的很多方面号称是欧洲最好的。房租低廉，且人均餐馆数量比欧洲其它国家都多。到了夜晚，新修复的卢森堡广场的街边酒吧中都是年轻的“欧盟官员”。
但是光荣的岁月正在接近尾声。50年来，一直由官员们制定政策，欧盟也饱受了脱离欧盟公民的指责，现在不负责任的官员们正在逐渐失去决策权。10月份，由欧盟领导人一致同意的新的改革条约赋予直接选举产生的欧洲议会更大的权力。对于欧洲人来说，这是迈向民主新的一步，也是脱离官僚统治的一步。的确，这不是一个普通的官僚机构。
