"As from 1 November 2014, the Commission shall consist of a number of members, including its President and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, corresponding to two thrids of the number of Member States, unless the European Council, acting unanimously, decides to alter this number" (Art.17 (5) TEU). The Commission is part of both the legislative and executive branches of the EU and is responsible for representing European interests externally. Its tasks include the strategic development of the Union and the drafting of legal acts. In addition, the Commission acts as a mediator between the Council of Ministers and the European Parliament during the legislative process. It is responsible for the regulation of certain policy areas and ensures the execution of the EU budget and the implementation of European legal acts in conformity with the Treaties. In the ordinary legislative procedure, the Commission has the sole right of initiative.
President
The President of the Commission shall lay down the guidelines within which the Commission shall work and decide on the internal organisation of the Commission. The President of the Commission is elected by the European Parliament and a majority in the European Council.
Ursula von der Leyen, is the President of the European Commission since the 1st of December 2019, for a 5 year term. Her re-election on 18 July 2024 with 55% in the European Parliament means she will serve as the Commission's President until 2029.
European Commissioners and their "Project Teams" (2019-2024)
Ursula von der Leyen, has structured her Commission into the following "Project Teams". Commissioners are members of "Project Teams", which are led by Vice-Presidents. The Commissioners 2024-2029 are not yet known as of 31 July 2024. Von der Leyen's proposed political guidelines have already been published and can be viewed here.
European Green Deal
Frans Timmermans, Executive Vice-President for "European Green Deal".
- Stella Kyriakides (Health and Food Safety)
- Adina Vălean (Transport)
- Kadri Simson (Energy)
- Virginijus Sinkevičius (Environment, Ocean and Fisheries)
- Janusz Wojciechowski (Agriculture)
- Elisa Ferreira (Cohesion and Reforms)
A Europe Fit for the Digital Age
Margrethe Vestager, Executive Vice-President for "A Europe Fit for the Digital Age".
- Thierry Breton (Internal Market)
- Mariya Gabriel (Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth)
- Nicolas Schmit (Jobs and Social Rights)
- Didier Reynders (Justice)
An Economy that Works for People
Valdis Dombrovskis, Executive Vice-President for "An Economy that Works for People" and Commissioner for Trade and the Economic Monetary Union.
- Nicolas Schmit (Jobs and Social Rights)
- Paolo Gentiloni (Economy)
- Elisa Ferreira (Cohesion and Reforms)
- Mairead McGuinness (Financial services, financial stability and Capital Markets Union)
A Stronger Europe in the World
Josep Borrell , High Representative/ Vice-President for "A Stronger Europe in the World".
- Olivér Várhelyi (Neighbourhood and Enlargement)
- Janez Lenarčič (Crisis Management)
- Jutta Urpilainen (International Partnerships)
Promoting our European Way of Life
Margaritis Schinas, Vice-President for "Promoting our European Way of Life".
- Mariya Gabriel (Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth)
- Helena Dalli (Equality)
- Ylva Johansson (Home Affairs)
- Stella Kyriakides (Health and Food Safety)
- Nicolas Schmit (Jobs and Social Rights)
A new push for European democracy
Věra Jourová, Vice-President for "Values and Transparency"
- Didier Reynders (Justice)
- Maroš Šefčovič (Interinstitutional Relations and Foresight)
- Dubravka Šuica (Democracy and Demography)
- Helena Dalli (Equality)
27
Commissioners
32.000
Employees
47 %
of EU citizens trust the Commission (2021)
Tasks and Objectives
The European Commission drafts the proposals for "Union laws" (regulations, directives, decisions). These are then adopted and, if necessary, amended by the EU Council of Ministers and the European Parliament (EP).
The EU Commission draws up the EU budget, which is adopted by the Council and Parliament. After its adoption, the Commission manages the budgetary funds.
Art.17 (1) TEU: "The Commission shall promote the general interest of the Union and take appropriate initiatives to that end. It shall ensure the application of the Treaties, and of measures adopted by the institutions pursuant to them. It shall oversee the application of Union law under the control of the Court of Justice of the European Union. It shall execute the budget and manage programmes. It shall exercise coordinating, executive and management functions, as laid down in the Treaties. With the exception of the common foreign and security policy, and other cases provided for in the Treaties, it shall ensure the Union’s external representation. It shall initiate the Union’s annual and multiannual programming with a view to achieving interinstitutional agreements."
Appointment of Commissioners
Art. 17 (7) TEU: "Taking into account the elections to the European Parliament and after having held the appropriate consultations, the European Council, acting by a qualified majority, shall propose to the European Parliament a candidate for President of the Commission. This candidate shall be elected by the European Parliament by a majority of its component members. If he does not obtain the required majority, the European Council, acting by a qualified majority, shall within one month propose a new candidate who shall be elected by the European Parliament following the same procedure. The Council, by common accord with the President-elect, shall adopt the list of the other persons whom it proposes for appointment as members of the Commission. They shall be selected, on the basis of the suggestions made by Member States, in accordance with the criteria set out in paragraph 3, second subparagraph, and paragraph 5, second subparagraph. The President, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and the other members of the Commission shall be subject as a body to a vote of consent by the European Parliament. On the basis of this consent the Commission shall be appointed by the European Council, acting by a qualified majority."
The term of office of the current von der Leyen Commission runs until 31 October 2024.
Art.17 (3) TEU: "The Commission’s term of office shall be five years. The members of the Commission shall be chosen on the ground of their general competence and European commitment from persons whose independence is beyond doubt. In carrying out its responsibilities, the Commission shall be completely independent. Without prejudice to Article 18(2), the members of the Commission shall neither seek nor take instructions from any Government or other institution, body, office or entity. They shall refrain from any action incompatible with their duties or the performance of their tasks."
Transitional provision, Art.17 (4) TEU: "The Commission appointed between the date of entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon and 31 October 2014, shall consist of one national of each Member State, including its President and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy who shall be one of its Vice- Presidents."
Transitional provision, Art. 17 (5) TEU (This article has not been put into practice yet): "As from 1 November 2014, the Commission shall consist of a number of members, including its President and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, corresponding to two thirds of the number of Member States, unless the European Council, acting unanimously, decides to alter this number. The members of the Commission shall be chosen from among the nationals of the Member States on the basis of a system of strictly equal rotation between the Member States, reflecting the demographic and geographical range of all the Member States. This system shall be established unanimously by the European Council in accordance with Article 244 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union."
Resignation, Art. 17 (6) TEU: "A member of the Commission shall resign if the President so requests. The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy shall resign, in accordance with the procedure set out in Article 18 (1), if the President so requests.