Who elects the European Commission?
- The European Union is a union of 28 (or soon, 27) countries bound by a a succession of treaties into a bloc which serves as a free trade area (the ...
- It allows for freedom of movement of workers (effectively people), goods, services and capital.
- Free movement of people is facilitated in most countries in the Union by th
Who is head of the European Commission?
There is one member per member state, but members are bound by their oath of office to represent the general interest of the EU as a whole rather than their home state. One of the 27 is the Commission President (currently Ursula von der Leyen) proposed by the European Council and elected by the European Parliament.
What does the European Commission do?
What does the European Commission do?
- Clean air. The European Commission has referred a number of countries - including the UK - to court for breaching air pollution limits.
- Rule of law. The European Commission has also taken action against some eastern member states over the rule of law.
- Data protection. ...
- Internet giants. ...
- Going overseas. ...
- Olive oil. ...
What is an European Commissioner?
We have an article dated as 10 November 2018 covering these issues and more, in Turkish: "McKinsey Ministries" of Davos and the "Renovation Handicaps" of German Army Ursula Gertrud von der Leyen was elected as President of the European Commission on 1 ...
How many EU Commissioners are there?
27 CommissionersComposition. Political leadership is provided by a team of 27 Commissioners (one from each EU country) – led by the Commission President, who decides who is responsible for which policy area.
Who are the main members of the European Commission?
Executive Vice-President. Frans Timmermans. ... Executive Vice-President. Margrethe Vestager. ... Executive Vice-President. Valdis Dombrovskis. ... High Representative/Vice-President. Josep Borrell Fontelles. ... Vice-President. Maroš Šefčovič ... Vice-President. Věra Jourová ... Vice-President. Dubravka Šuica. ... Vice-President. Margaritis Schinas.More items...
Who makes up European Commission?
The European Commission is composed of the College of Commissioners, with one member from each of the 27 European Union (EU) Member States. Each Commissioner is responsible for a portfolio assigned to them by the Commission's President.
Who is the European Commission accountable to?
ParliamentThe Commission is collectively accountable to Parliament under Article 234 TFEU.
Who is the current President of the European Commission Mcq?
Jean-Claude Juncker8. Who is the current President of the European Commission? Explanation: Jean-Claude Juncker is the current President of the European Commission.
Who is head of the European Parliament?
President of the European ParliamentIncumbent Roberta Metsola since 18 January 2022European ParliamentStylePresidentStatusPresiding officer11 more rows
Where is the EU Commission?
BrusselsHeadquarters. The departments and executive agencies of the Commission are based in Brussels and Luxembourg. Weekly meetings of the Commissioners take place in the Brussels headquarters and in Strasbourg.
What is the salary of the EU Commissioner?
Salaries. A Commissioner's basic monthly salary is fixed at 112.5% of the top civil service grade. This works out at €22,367.04 per month. The President is paid at 138% (€27,436.90 per month), vice-presidents at 125% (€24,852.26 per month) and the High Representative at 130% (€25,846.35 per month).
Is the UK still part of the Council of Europe?
The United Kingdom was one of the founding members. Set up shortly after the end of the Second World War, the CoE's core mission is to promote human rights, democracy and the rule of law across the continent. The Permanent Representation of the United Kingdom to the CoE is an active member of the organisation.
What are the 3 governing bodies of the EU?
For more information on European institutions, refer to the official European Union website here.The European Council. ... The European Commission. ... The Council. ... The European Parliament.
What's the relationship between the EU Commission and Parliament?
The European Commission is the executive of the European Union. This document explains what that means, the role and functions of the European Commission and how it operates within the EU. The European Parliament is one of the law making institutions of the European Union.
What's the difference between the European Council and the European Commission?
The Council of the European Union, known also as the 'Council of Ministers', is the first of the EU's two law-making bodies. Whereas the Commission represents the general interests of the European Union, the Council of the European Union represents the governments of the member states.
Who was the first woman to be elected to the European Commission?
The President of the European Commission is the first woman to hold the role, Ursula von der Leyen. Voted in on 16 July 2019, she is described by the Commission as a “European by heart and by conviction”, with an aspirational climate plan to make Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050.
What was Timmermans' last role in the EU?
His last role in the EU was related to Inter-Institutional Relations, the Rule of Law and the Charter of Fundamental Rights.
What is the European Green Deal?
His new portfolio is the European Green Deal, which includes “leading international negotiations” to encourage other States to increase their environmental ambition, and putting forward a cohesive “Just Transition Fund” to help those most affected during the Green Deal transition, e.g. coal regions.
Who represents the Commission in the European Council?
The President represents the Commission in European Council meetings, G7 and G20 summits, summits with non-EU countries and major debates in the European Parliament and the Council.
What is the role of the President of the European Commission?
According to the treaties, the President decides on the organisation of the Commission and allocates portfolios to individual Commissioners. The President also sets the Commission's policy agenda.
How long is a European Commissioner in office?
The European Civil Service is permanent whereas a Commissioner is in office usually for just five years. Hence it is the service which know the workings of the Commission and have longer term interests. Strong leadership from a Commissioner, who knows the workings of their portfolio, can overcome the power of the service. An example would be Pascal Lamy; however, the best people are usually kept by their national governments, leading to less solid candidates getting the job.
How many members are there in the European Commission?
A European Commissioner is a member of the 27-member European Commission. Each member within the Commission holds a specific portfolio, and the Commission is led by the President of the European Commission. In simple terms they are the equivalent of national ministers .
Why did Kyprianou leave the Commission?
Following elections in Cyprus, Commissioner Kyprianou left to become Cypriot Foreign Minister. Likewise, Commissioner Frattini left to do the same following elections in Italy.
How many commissioners did Spain have in 2004?
Until 2004, the larger member states (Spain upwards) received two Commissioners and the smaller states received one. As the size of the body was increasing with enlargement, the larger states lost their second commissioner after the 2004 enlargement with the new Barroso Commission being appointed under the Treaty of Nice .
What is the effect of appointment to the Commission?
Appointment to the Commission has the effect of removing a political figure from a country for a period of years , and this has been compared to the ancient Athenian practice of ostracism.
What is a strong leadership from a Commissioner?
Strong leadership from a Commissioner, who knows the workings of their portfolio, can overcome the power of the service. An example would be Pascal Lamy; however, the best people are usually kept by their national governments, leading to less solid candidates getting the job.
What is the power of the European Parliament?
In addition to its role in approving a new Commission, the European Parliament has the power at any time to force the entire Commission to resign through a vote of no confidence. This requires a vote that makes up at least two-thirds of those voting and a majority of the total membership of the Parliament.
What is a European commissioner?
A European Commissioner is a member of the European Commission. Each Commissioner within the college holds a specific portfolio and are led by the President of the European Commission. In simple terms they are the equivalent of national ministers.
When did Simson leave the European Parliament?
King replaced him on 19 September 2016. ^ Simson was nominated to complete the term of Andrus Ansip, who resigned on 1 July 2019 to take a seat in the European Parliament, without an assigned portfolio. However, it was agreed to let the seat remain vacant until the Von der Leyen Commission began.
Who is António Guterres?
Economist. Deputy governor of the Bank of Portugal. Held ministerial posts under former Prime Minister António Guterres. Served three terms as an MEP for the Socialists & Democrats (S&D). Led the European Parliament’s work on one of the main elements of banking union. Has said “the banking system is European in life and national in death.” Chosen ahead of former Infrastructure Minister Pedro Marques. First Portuguese woman to be put forward as commissioner. Part of the S&D's “alternative troika” sent to Greece to look at ways to stimulate the economy.
Who was the labor minister in Germany?
Long-serving labor minister under coalition governments led by Jean-Claude Juncker and Xavier Bettel. Formerly von der Leyen’s opposite number when she was labor minister in Germany. No stranger to Brussels. Served as Luxembourg’s ambassador and permanent representative to the EU for six years.
Who is Valdis Dombrovskis?
Latvia — Valdis Dombrovskis, Executive vice-president for An Economy that Works for People. Was prime minister for almost half a decade, as the government was forced to slash salaries and spending under an international bailout. Stepped down after 54 people died when a shopping center collapsed.
Who is the European Commissioner of Ireland?
Mairead McGuinness has been announced as Ireland's European commissioner. She was nominated alongside Andrew McDowell for the role by the Irish government last week. Phil Hogan resigned from the job last month after he faced accusations of breaching Covid-19 guidelines.
Who interviewed the two nominees for the European Commission?
Ms McGuinness was chosen for the role after both nominees were interviewed by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Who is the deputy chairman of the Irish Senate?
The controversy surrounding it has already cost the jobs of Agriculture Minister Dara Calleary and Jerry Buttimer, deputy chairman of the Irish senate. Gardaí (Irish police) have said they are investigating what happened at the dinner.
Who asked the Irish government to nominate a male and female candidate?
The Irish government had been asked to nominate one male and one female candidate by Mrs von der Leyen.
Who is Mairead McGuinness?
Mairead McGuinness is currently vice-president of the European Parliament and represents the north west constituency of the Republic of Ireland in the European Parliament. She has been a vice-president of the parliament since July 2014. image copyright. Reuters.
Who is the new EU Commissioner for Ireland?
Ursula von der Leyen said that McGuinness has “significant political experience on EU issues”. EUROPEAN COMMISSION PRESIDENT Ursula von der Leyen has chosen Mairéad McGuinness as Ireland’s new EU Commissioner. Ireland hasn’t retained the Trade portfolio however, and McGuinness will instead take the Financial Services and Financial Stability ...
Who is the former vice president of the European Investment Bank?
McDowell is former vice president of the European Investment Bank who served as a special advisor to Enda Kenny. Von der Leyen, who interviewed both candidates yesterday, said both showed “great commitment to the European Union and to the function of Commissioner”. She said they were “excellent candidates” that had significant experience ...
Who Are The New Commissioners?
Frans Timmermans, European Green Deal
- Timmermans began his career in 1980, with a degree in French language and literature. He worked his way through foreign affairs and embassies, joining the Partij van de Arbeid (Dutch Labour Party) in 1998. His last role in the EU was related to Inter-Institutional Relations, the Rule of Law and the Charter of Fundamental Rights. His new portfolio is the European Green Deal, whic…
Maroš Šefčovič, Interinstitutional Relations and Foresight
- Moving from the Energy, Space policy and (temporarily) the Digital Single Market portfolio to this one, Šefčovič is being returned to the department he worked for in 2010-2014. He has been given a legislative focus in contrast to the applied policy and cacophony of evolving topics in his former role. He is now to focus on elements such as “the Commission’s work on the European Battery A…
Stella Kyriakides, Health
- Starting with a degree in Psychology, Kyriakides then worked in several roles that touched on National Cancer Strategy and clinical psychology, becoming a representative to the European Commission on health matters in 2018. She is now focusing on the Health portfolio, which includes fighting vaccination myths, ensuring “the supply of affordable med...
Kadri Simson, Energy
- With a degree in history and subsequently political science, Simson moved through advisory and research roles, even working for NATO. As of 2009 she became a member of the Estonian Centre Party, through which she became the Leader of the NATO parliamentary assembly delegation for Estonia. From here, she joins the European Commission. Her Energy portfolio largely overlaps wi…
Virginijus Sinkevičius, Environment and Oceans
- Sinkevičius has worked in economic policy and with farmers, whilst also spending time as an editor after attaining his Master of Arts in European Studies. He was formerly Minister of Economy and Innovation, which lends to the current role managing Environment and Oceans. President Leyen describes the natural resources of the EU as “great natural and economic wealt…
Overview
A European Commissioner is a member of the 27-member European Commission. Each member within the Commission holds a specific portfolio. The Commission is led by the President of the European Commission. In simple terms they are the equivalent of government ministers.
Appointment
Commissioners are nominated by member states in consultation with the Commission President, who then selects a team of commissioners. This team of nominees are then subject to hearings at the European Parliament, which questions them and then votes on their suitability as a whole. If members of the team are found to be inappropriate, the President must then reshuffle the team or request a new candidate from the member state or risk the whole Commission being voted dow…
History
Until 2004, the larger member states (Spain upwards) received two Commissioners and the smaller states received one. As the size of the body was increasing with enlargement, the larger states lost their second commissioner after the 2004 enlargement with the new Barroso Commission being appointed under the Treaty of Nice.
Nice also specified that once the number of members reached 27 then the number of Commissi…
Accountability
In addition to its role in approving a new Commission, the European Parliament has the power at any time to force the entire Commission to resign through a vote of no confidence. This requires a vote that makes up at least two-thirds of those voting and a majority of the total membership of the Parliament. While it has never used this power, it threatened to use it against the Commission headed by Jacques Santer in 1999 over allegations of corruption. In response, the Santer Commis…
Salaries
A Commissioner's basic monthly salary is fixed at 112.5% of the top civil service grade. This works out at €22,367.04 per month. The President is paid at 138% (€27,436.90 per month), Vice-Presidents at 125% (€24,852.26 per month) and the High Representative at 130% (€25,846.35 per month). There are further allowances on top of these figures, including household allowance, child allowance, and a substantial expatriation allowance (where applicable).
Portfolios
The make up and distribution of portfolios are determined by the Commission President and do not always correspond with the Commission's departments (Directorates-General). While some have been fairly consistent in make up between each Commission, some have only just been created or are paired with others. With a record number of Members in 2007, the portfolios have become very thin even though the responsibilities of the commission have increased.
Civil service
A Commissioner can come under a great deal of influence from the staff under their control. The European Civil Service is permanent whereas a Commissioner is in office usually for just five years. Hence it is the service which know the workings of the Commission and have longer term interests. Strong leadership from a Commissioner, who knows the workings of their portfolio, can overcome the power of the service. An example would be Pascal Lamy; however, the best peopl…
Politicisation
Commissioners are required to remain above national politics while exercising their duties in the Commission, but are normally involved in their European-level political party. However the requirement to keep out of national politics has slowly been eroded. During the Prodi Commission, Anna Diamantopoulou (Employment and Social Affairs) took leave from the Commission to participat…