President of the European Commission

President of the European Commission
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Post	President of the European Commission
Body	the European Union
Insigniacaption	Flag of Europe
Incumbent	Ursula von der Leyen
Incumbentsince	1 December 2019
Department	European Commission
Style	Madam President
Member of	European Commission, European Council, G7
Seat	Berlaymont, Brussels
Nominator	European Council
Appointer	European Parliament
Termlength	Five years, renewable
Formation	1 January 1958
First	Walter Hallstein
Salary	€25,554 per month

President of the European Commission. The President of the European Commission is the head of the European Commission, the European Union's executive branch, and is considered one of the most powerful offices in the EU. The President leads the College of Commissioners, sets its political agenda, and represents the institution internationally, playing a central role in shaping and implementing EU law and policy. Elected by the European Parliament following a proposal from the European Council, the President serves a five-year term, coinciding with the parliamentary term, and is a key figure in the institutional triangle of the European Union.

History and development

The office was established in 1958 with the coming into force of the Treaty of Rome, which created the European Economic Community. The first President, Walter Hallstein, who led the Hallstein Commission, set early precedents for the Commission's activist role. The position's influence evolved through key treaties; the Merger Treaty of 1965 consolidated the executive bodies, while the Maastricht Treaty formally established the European Union and enhanced the Commission's role. The Treaty of Lisbon significantly strengthened the position by linking the President's election to the results of the European Parliament election, creating the role of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, and cementing the Commission's right of legislative initiative. Notable presidencies include those of Jacques Delors, whose Delors Commission oversaw the creation of the single market and paved the way for the euro, and Jean-Claude Juncker, who led during the European migrant crisis and Brexit negotiations.

Election and term of office

The President is elected for a renewable five-year term, beginning within six months of the European Parliament election. The process, known as the *Spitzenkandidat* process, involves the European Council proposing a candidate to the Parliament by a qualified majority, taking into account the election results. This candidate must then be elected by an absolute majority of the MEPs. If the Parliament rejects the candidate, the Council must propose a new one within one month. Once elected, the President-designate, in dialogue with the Council of the European Union, selects the other Commissioners, who are then subject to hearings by parliamentary committees before the entire College of Commissioners receives a vote of approval from the Parliament. The formal appointment is then made by the European Council.

Powers and duties

The President possesses significant executive and political authority. They chair the weekly meetings of the College of Commissioners, set its political agenda through initiatives like the annual State of the Union address, and allocate portfolios among the Commissioners. The President can also request a Commissioner's resignation. Externally, the President represents the Commission at meetings of the G7, G20, and in dialogues with major powers like the United States and China, and participates in debates in the European Parliament and European Council. A key power is the right to initiate EU legislation, and the President works closely with the President of the European Parliament and the President of the European Council to steer the Union's political direction, especially in areas like the European Green Deal or the Digital Single Market.

List of presidents

Since its inception, the Commission has been led by fourteen Presidents, including three from Germany, two from France, two from Luxembourg, two from the United Kingdom, and one each from Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, and Belgium. The first President was Germany's Walter Hallstein (1958-1967). Other notable presidents include Roy Jenkins (1977-1981), the first British holder; Jacques Delors (1985-1995), who served three terms; and José Manuel Barroso (2004-2014), the first from a southern member state to serve two full terms. The first female President, Ursula von der Leyen, took office in December 2019, leading the von der Leyen Commission which has focused on the COVID-19 pandemic recovery via NextGenerationEU, and geopolitical challenges following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Relationship with other EU institutions

The President maintains a dynamic and sometimes delicate relationship with other key EU bodies. The President is a permanent invitee to meetings of the European Council and works closely with its President to ensure follow-up on its guidelines. The Commission's survival depends on the confidence of the European Parliament, with which the President engages in regular dialogue, notably during plenary sessions. The President and the Commission are also accountable to the Court of Justice of the European Union for the legality of their actions. Furthermore, the President collaborates with the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, who is also a Vice-President of the Commission, to ensure coherence between the EU's external actions and other policies. This intricate web of relationships is fundamental to the functioning of the European Union.

Category:European Commission Category:Presidents of the European Commission Category:European Union-related lists