Week 7: Institutions- European Commission

Question 1

What is the size of the European Commission?

Answer 1

27 commissioners, one for each country, including the president and the high representative.

Question 2

How long is the Commission’s president term?

Answer 2

Under the Treaty on European Union, the term changed for 5 years.

Question 3

How is the election of the president of the Commission?

Answer 3

• The European Council, acting by a qualified majority voting, shall propose to the European Parliament a candidate for the president of the Commission.
• This candidate shall be elected by the European Parliament by a majority of its component members. If that’s not the case, the European Council will have to propose a new candidate within one month and pass the same procedure

Question 4

How is the elections of the Commissioners?

Answer 4

-The council shall adopt the list of the other persons whom it proposes for election as members of the commission.
- they shall be selected on the basis of the suggestions made by Member states
- 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 - the Commission shall be appointed by the European Council, acting by a qualified majority.

Question 5

Overview of the College of commissioners

Answer 5

-takes decisions collectively.
-All Members of the Commission are equal when making decisions and equally accountable for these decisions.
- Once a decision is taken, every Member of the Commission takes ownership of the decision and promotes and defends it.

Question 6

Responsibilities of the European Commission?

Answer 6

1. Proposer and developer of policies and of legislation: the Commission shall formulate recommendations or deliver opinions on matters dealt with in this Treaty
2. Executive functions: closely involved in the management, supervision, and implementation of EU policies:
   - Rule-making power: delegated acts (they are of general application, to supplement or amend non-essential elements of the original law), implementing acts (used when specifications are required for the uniform application of the original act
   - Management of EU Finances
   - Supervision of policy implementation
3. The guardian of Legal framework
4. External representative and negotiator: external trade relations, economic cooperation agreements and association agreements
5. Mediator and conciliator: the Commission is viewed as impartial, not representing a particular national interest. Moderate proposals instead of radical initiatives