european commission

Question 1

what the european commission….in essence

Answer 1

supranational (impartial)

Question 2

what is the comission’s role in legislation

Answer 2

• Commission drafts the legislation that is later passed onto the legislative bodies, the EP and the Council

Question 3

what is the comission’s symbolic role?

Answer 3

• an important external relations role

- mediator amongst the 27 member states, and between the EU council and the European Parliament

Question 4

layout of comission?

Answer 4

• consists of 27 commissioners, including the president
• Collegiality- all commissioners are collectively responsible for all decisions taken
• Commissioners are nominated by national governments, but do not work for them
• The president has gained more powers since the 1980’s so that the current president is no longer ‘first among equals’ so their vote is weighed more heavily