EU Glossary: Actors and Institutions

European Commission    

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.

Jean-Claude Juncker, is the President of the European Commission since the 1st of November 2014, for a 5 year term. His term of office ends at the 31st of October 2019. © European Union, 2015

EU Commissioners and their "Project Teams"

Better Regulation and Interinstitutional Relations

“Coordinating the work on better regulation within the Commission, ensuring that every proposal respects the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality, which are at the heart of the Commission's work.” Jean-Claude Juncker  Mission Letter 

Frans Timmermans: First Vice-President for Better Regulation and Interinstitutional Relations. © European Union, 2015

All Commissioners are a member of this project team

Jobs, Growth and Investment and Competitiveness

"My number one priority and the connecting thread running through each and every proposal will be getting Europe growing again and getting people back to decent jobs." Jean-Claude Juncker  -Political Guidelines

Jyrki Katainen, Vice-President for Jobs, Growth, Investment and Competitiveness  © European Union, 2015

Digital Single Market

"By creating a connected digital single market, we can generate up to € 250 billion of additional growth in Europe in the course of the mandate of the next Commission, thereby creating hundreds of thousands of new jobs, notably for younger job-seekers, and a vibrant knowledge-based society. The EU should become a leader in the creative industries, but in full respect of cultural diversity."Jean-Claude Juncker – Political Guidelines 

Andrus Ansip, Vice President for Digital Single Market   © European Union, 2015

Energy Union

"I want to reform and reorganise Europe’s energy policy into a new European Energy Union. We need to pool our resources, combine our infrastructures and unite our negotiating power vis-à-vis third countries. We need to diversify our energy sources, and reduce the high energy dependency of several of our Member States." Jean-Claude Juncker -Political Guidelines 

Maroš Šefčovič, Vice President for Energy Union   © European Union, 2015

Euro and Social Dialogue

"The crisis has only been paused. We must make use of this pause to consolidate and complement the unprecedented measures we have taken during the crisis, simplify them and make them more socially legitimate. It is not compatible with the social market economy that during a crisis, ship-owners and speculators become even richer, while pensioners can no longer support themselves." Jean-Claude Juncker – Political Guidelines

Valdis Dombrovskis, Vice President for the Euro, Social Dialogue, Financial Stability, Financial Services and the Capital Markets Union   © European Union, 2015

Europe and the World

"We need better mechanisms in place to anticipate events early and to swiftly identify common responses. We need to be more effective in bringing together the tools of Europe’s external action. Trade policy, development aid, our participation in international financial institutions and our neighbourhood policy must be combined and activated according to one and the same logic." Jean-Claude Juncker  -Political Guidelines

Federica Mogherini, Vice-President and High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy © European Union, 2015

Budget and Human Resources

“You will help the Commission to demonstrate the value added of the EU budget and contribute to a stronger performance culture in relation to the EU budget, including by enhancing performance-based budgeting across the Commission.”Jean-Claude Juncker – Mission Letter 

Günther Oettinger, Commissioner for Budget and Human Resources  © European Union, 2015

 All Commissioners are a member of this project team

Roles and Responsibilities

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 Members

A new College of Commissioners is appointed every five years. The current team is in office until the 31st of October 2019. 

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.

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."

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."

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."

Legal Bases

•  Treaty on European Union (Art. 17)
•  Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (Art. 234, 244-250)
•  Rules of Procedure 

European Parliament  

President

The President is elected for a renewable term of two and a half years, i.e. half the lifetime of a Parliament. The President represents the European Parliament vis-à-vis the outside world and in its relations with the other EU institutions. 

Antonio Tajani is currently President of the eighth European Parliament.  © European Parliament, 2017

Political Groups

Roles and Responsibilities

Art.14 (1) TEUV: ,,The European Parliament shall, jointly with the Council, exercise legislative and budgetary functions. It shall exercise functions of political control and consultation as laid down in the Treaties. It shall elect the President of the Commission." 

Members

Legal Bases

European Council

President

On the 30 August 2014, Donald Tusk was unanimously elected by the EU heads of State and Governments as President of the European Council. As President he chairs the European Council meetings and drives its work forward. 

Donald Tusk is President of the European Council. He was reelected 9th of March 2017. His term will end in 2019. © Council of the European Union, 2015

Member States of the European Council

Art. 15 (2) TEU:,,The European Council shall consist of the Heads of State or Government of the Member States, together with its President and the President of the Commission. The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy shall take part in its work."

Member state  (year of entry)	System of government/Government coalition
Austria  (1995)	Parliamentary system Majority Coalition: Social Democratic Party of Austria(PES/S&D), Austrian People's Party (EPP/EPP) Head of Government (2008): Werner Faymann, Social Democratic Party of Austria, (PES)
Belgium  (1957)	Parliamentary system ´Nieuw-Vlaamse Alliantie (EKR),Mouvement Réformateur (ALDE), Christen-Democratisch en Vlaams (EVP),Open Vlaamse Liberalen en Democraten (ALDE) Head of Government (2014): Charles Michel (MR)
Bulgaria  (2007)	Unicameral parliamentary system Minority Government GERB (EPP), Reformist Party (EPP),Alternative for Bulgarian Renaissance  Head of Government (2014): Boyko Borissov (GERB)
Cyprus  (2004)	Presidential system Majority Coalition: Dimokratikos Synagermos (EPP),  Solidarity Movement (AECR/ECR) Head of State/Government (2008): Nicos Anastasiades,(Dimokratikos Synagermos) (EPP)
Croatia	Parliamentary system Majority coalition: Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) and the Bridge of Independent Lists (MOST) Head of Government (2016) : Andrej Plenković (HDZ)
Czech Republic (2004)	Parliamentary system Majority Coalition: Social Democrats, ANO, Christian Democrats Head of Government (2014): Bohuslav Sobotka (Social Democrats)
Denmark  (1973)	Parliamentary system Minority Government: Venstre (ALDE) Head of Government (2015): Lars Lokke Rasmussen (Venstre)
Estonia  (2004)	Parliamentary system Majority Coalition: Estonian Reform Party (ALDE), Social Democratic Party (PES), Pro Patrica and Res Publica Union(EPP) Head of Government (2014): Taavi Röivas, Estonian Reform Party (ALDE)
Finland  (1995)	Majortiy Coalition: Centre Party (ALDE), Finns Party (ECR)and National Coalition Party (EPP)   Head of Government: Juhu Sipila (Centre Party)
France  (1957)	Parliamentary system Majority coalition: Socialist Party (PES/S&D), Europe Ecology - The Greens (EGP/The Greens-EFA), Radical Party of the Left  Head of Government (2016): Bernard Cazeneuve, Socialist Party (PES)  Head of State (2012): François Hollande, Socialist Party (PES)
Germany (1957)	Parliamentary system Majority coalition: Christian Democratic Union, Social Democratic Party, Christian Social Union Head of Government: Angela Merkel,  (Christian Democratic Union)
Greece  (1981)	Parliamentary system Majority coalition: Coalition of the Radical Left SYRIZA  (GUE/NGL), Unabhängige Griechen ANEL(EKR)   Head of Government (2015): Alexis Tsipras, Coalition of the Radical Left SYRIZA  (GUE/NGL)
Hungary  (2004)	Parliamentary system Majority coalition: Fidesz -  Hungarian Civic Union (EPP/EPP),Christian Democratic People's Party (EPP/EPP) Head of Government (2010): Viktor Orbán, Fidesz - Hungarian Civic Union (EPP)
Ireland (1973)	Parliamentary system Minority Government: Fine Gael - Family of the Irish (EPP/EPP) Head of Government (2011): Leo Varadkar, Fine Gael - Family of the Irish (EPP)
Italy  (1957)	Parliamentary system Majority coalition: Democratic Party (S&D), New-Centre Right(-/-),  Civic Choice (-/-) Head of Government (2014): Matteo Renzi,  Democratic Party(S&D)
Latvia  (2004)	Parliamentary system Majority coalition: Unity (EPP/EPP), Reform Party (-/), National Alliance "All For Latvia!" - "For Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK"(AECR/ECR), Union of Greens and Farmers Head of Government (2016): Māris Kučinskis, Union of Greens and Farmers (EGP)
Lithuania  (2004)	Parliamentary system Majority coalition: Lithuanian Peasant and Green Union (LPGU), Lithuanian Social Democratic Party (PES/S&D), Head of Government (2016): Saulius Skvernelis,  Lithuanian Peasant and Green Union (LPGU)
Luxembourg(1957)	Parliamentary system Majority Coalition: Democratic Party, Luxembourg Socialist Workers' Party, The Greens Head of Government: Xavier Bettel, Democratic Party (ALDE)
Malta (2004)	Parliamentary system One-Party majority in the House of Representatives:  Malta Labour Party Head of Government (2013): Joseph Muscat, Malta Labour Party  (PES)
Netherlands(1957)	Parliamentary system Majority coalition: People's Party for Freedom and Democracy(ALDE/ALDE), Labour Party (PES/S&D) Head of Government (2010): Mark Rutte, People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (ALDE)
Poland (2004)	Parliamentary system Single Party Government: Law and Justice Party (AECR/ECR) Head of Government (2015): Beata Szydlo, Law and Justic Party (AECR/ECR)
Portugal  (1986)	Parliamentary system Minority Government consisting of the Socialist Party (S&D), the communist-green Unitary Democratic Coalition (CDU) and the Left Bloc (B.E.) Head of Government (2015): António Costa, Socialist Party (S&D)
Romania  (2007)	Unitary semi-presidential system Technocrat Cabinet Head of Government (2015): Dacian Cioloș, politically independent, affiliated with the EPP
Slovakia (2004)	Parliamentary system Majority Coalition: Direction - Social Democracy(PES/S&D), nationalist Slovak National Party SNS, Hungarian Most-Hid Party (EPP), centre-right Network Siet Party (EPP) Head of Government (2012): Robert Fico, Direction - Social Democracy (PES)
Slovenia  (2004)	Parliamentary system Majority Coalition: Stranka Mira Cerarja, Democratic Party of Slovenian Pensioners, Social Democrats Head of Government (2014): Miro Cerar, Stranka Mira Cerarja
Spain (1986)	Parliamentary system Government to be formed soon Head of Government (2018): Pedro Sánchez Pérez-Castejón, Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PES)
Sweden  (1995)	Parliamentary system Majority Coalition: Swedish Social Democrats (PES) and Greens (European Greens) Head of Government (2014): Stefan Löfven, Swedish Social Democrats (PES)
United Kingdom  (1973)	Parliamentary system Single Party Government: Conservative Party (AECR/ECR) Head of Government (2016): Theresa May, Conservative Party(AECR)

Roles and Responsibilities

Art.15 (1) TEU: ,,The European Council shall provide the Union with the necessary impetus for its development and shall define the general political directions and priorities thereof. It shall not exercise legislative functions."

With the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon on 1 December 2009, the European Council became an official EU institution.

Legal Bases

• Treaty on European Union  (Art. 15)
  
• Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (Art. 235, 236)
• Rules of Procedure

Rotating Presidency

Role and Responsibilities

Members

Legal Bases

Court of Justice  

President

The judges of the Court of Justice are appointed by common accord of the governments of the Member States for six years. The President of the Court of Justice is elected from and by the judges for a renewable term of three years. He presides over hearings and deliberations of the full Court or the Grand Chamber, directing both judicial business and administration. He also assigns cases to the chambers for examination and appoints judges as rapporteurs. 

Koen Lenaerts is President of the Court of Justice since the 8th of October 2015. © European Union, 2015

Role and Responsibilities

Members

Legal Bases

• Treaty of the European Union  (Art. 19)

• Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (Art. 251-281)

• Statute of the Court of Justice

• Rules of Procedure

• Supplementary Rules

• Rules of Procedure of the European Union Civil Service Tribunal

European Central Bank  

President

The President heads the executive board, governing council and general council of the European Central Bank. He is not elected by popular vote, rather the President is appointed by the European Council, for an eight-year non-renewable term. 

Mario Draghi was appointed in November 2011 as President of the European Central Bank. © European Central Bank 2015

 

Role and Responsibilities

Members

Legal Bases

• Treaty of the European Union (Art 13)(1)(2))

• Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (Art 282 & 283)

• Protocol on the Statute of the European Central Bank

• Statutes of National Central Banks