How leaders of the EU institutions are elected and appointed

EU citizens are central to the EU’s democratic process. With their vote in European and national elections, they have a say in the appointment of the leadership of four main decision-making institutions who lead the EU’s administration.

European Parliament

European Council and the Council of the European Union

European Commission

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_{The European Parliament’s official seat is in Strasbourg, France, but much of its work is conducted in Brussels. MEPs meet for plenary sessions in the hemicycle.}

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The European Parliament

The European Parliament is the directly elected legislative body of the EU.

Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) represent the interests of the citizens who have elected them. 

The Parliament shapes EU law together with the Council of the EU by

discussing, amending, and adopting new laws proposed by the European Commission
deciding on the EU budget and monitoring implementation.

The Parliament has supervisory and control powers, which allow it to oversee other institutions.

Members of the European Parliament

There are 720 Members of the European Parliament for the 2024-2029 term. 

The number of seats allocated to each EU Member State in the Parliament depends on its population. The bigger the population, the more MEPs it gets. For example, Germany, the most populous Member State, has 96 seats, while Malta, the least populous, has 6 seats.

The number of MEPs elected from a political party in a given country is proportional to the number of votes it received.

Political groups

After the elections, MEPs form political groups and choose their leaderships. A political group must consist of at least 23 MEPs elected from at least one quarter of the Member States.

Election of the European Parliament President

At the beginning of the new parliamentary term, the President of the Parliament is elected by the MEPs for a renewable period of two and a half years. Since the parliamentary term is five years, it’s possible for two presidents to serve during this period.

Members of the European Parliament

There are 720 Members of the European Parliament for the 2024-2029 term. 

The number of seats allocated to each EU Member State in the Parliament depends on its population. The bigger the population, the more MEPs it gets. For example, Germany, the most populous Member State, has 96 seats, while Malta, the least populous, has 6 seats.

The number of MEPs elected from a political party in a given country is proportional to the number of votes it received.

Political groups

After the elections, MEPs form political groups and choose their leaderships. A political group must consist of at least 23 MEPs elected from at least one quarter of the Member States.

Election of the European Parliament President

At the beginning of the new parliamentary term, the President of the Parliament is elected by the MEPs for a renewable period of two and a half years. Since the parliamentary term is five years, it’s possible for two Presidents to serve during this period.

What is the role of the European Parliament President?

The President is responsible for chairing plenary sessions and debates and oversees all the activities of the Parliament and its bodies.

The Justus Lipsius (left) and the Europa (right) buildings house the Council of the EU and European Council. ^{_{©Philippe Samyn and Partners architects & engineers – lead and design partner, Studio Valle Progettazioni architects, Buro Happold engineers}}

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The European Council and the Council of the EU

The European Council defines the EU’s overall political direction and the priorities of the EU. It is composed of

the heads of state or government of the Member States
the presidents of the European Council and of the European Commission.

Acting by qualified majority and with the agreement of the Commission President-elect, the European Council appoints the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, who is also a Vice-President of the Commission.

The Council of the EU is led by a Member State on a rotating basis and is responsible for adopting EU laws and the EU budget together with the Parliament.

In the Council, ministers voice the views of the governments of the Member States. They meet to negotiate and adopt EU laws and coordinate EU policies. The Council meets in different configurations.

Election of the European Council President

The President of the European Council is elected by the European Council by qualified majority for a term of two and a half years, renewable once. 

Role of the European Council President

The European Council President chairs, drives forward the work of the European Council and facilitates its cohesion and consensus. The position of President of the European Council became a permanent and full-time role following the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon in 2009.

_{The European Council meeting room}

Election of the European Council President

The President of the European Council is elected by the European Council by qualified majority for a term of two and a half years, renewable once. 

Role of the European Council President

The European Council President chairs, drives forward the work of the European Council and facilitates its cohesion and consensus. The position of President of the European Council became a permanent and full-time role following the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon in 2009.

_{The European Council meeting room}

_{The European Council meeting room}
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_{The Berlaymont building houses the headquarters of the European Commission in Brussels}

The European Commission

The Commission is the executive branch of the EU. It

proposes new EU laws and ensures that EU laws are correctly applied across Member States
develops policies, manages EU budget spending
speaks on behalf of the EU on the global stage, for instance in areas of trade policy, economic issues or climate policy, and negotiates international agreements for the EU
is a guardian of Treaties, ensuring Member States comply with EU Treaties and laws.

Role of the President of the Commission and the College

The Commission is led by the President and a team of 26 members, who are appointed for a period of 5 years:

President: sets the Commission’s political agenda, decides on the internal organisation of the Commission and oversees its work, and represents it internationally.
Commissioners: each Member State nominates one Commissioner, who is responsible for a specific policy area (like trade, environment, or finance) according to the distribution of portfolios set by the President. Some Commissioners serve as Vice-Presidents, leading priority projects or coordinating efforts across policy areas.
College: The President and the Commissioners together form the College of Commissioners.

Decisions are made collectively by the College of Commissioners.

_{European Commission President rings a bell to signify the start of the weekly College of Commissioners meeting}

Role of the President of the Commission and the College

The Commission is led by the President and a team of 26 members, who are appointed for a period of 5 years.

President: sets the Commission’s political agenda, decides on the internal organisation of the Commission and oversees its work, and represents it internationally.
Commissioners: each Member State nominates one Commissioner, who is responsible for a specific policy area (like trade, environment, or finance) according to the distribution of portfolios set by the President. Some Commissioners serve as Vice-Presidents, leading priority projects or coordinating efforts across policy areas.
College: The President and the Commissioners together form the College of Commissioners.

Decisions are made collectively by the College of Commissioners.

_{European Commission President rings a bell to signify the start of the weekly College of Commissioners meeting}
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_{European Commission President rings a bell to signify the start of the weekly College of Commissioners meeting}

Election of the President of the Commission and appointment of the College of Commissioners

European Parliament, European Council and the Council of the European Union, European Commission

1. The European Council acting by qualified majority proposes to the Parliament a candidate for the Commission President, taking into account the election results.

2. The Parliament by majority of its component members then elects the President of the Commission based on the proposal from the European Council.

3. The Commission President-elect, upon suggestions by Member States and in agreement with the Council, adopts a list of candidates for the Commissioners and determines their portfolios.

4. The Commissioners-designate appear in hearings at the Parliament.

5. The Commission as a whole is then approved in a single vote of consent by the Parliament.

6. The European Council, acting by qualified majority, formally appoints the Commission’s new leadership.

The European Council acting by qualified majority proposes to the Parliament a candidate for the Commission President, taking into account the election results.

The Parliament by majority of its component members then elects the President of the Commission based on the proposal from the European Council.

The Commission President-elect, upon suggestions by Member States and in agreement with the Council, adopts a list of candidates for the Commissioners and determines their portfolios.

The Commissioners-designate appear in hearings at the Parliament.

The Commission as a whole is then approved in a single vote of consent by the Parliament.

The European Council, acting by qualified majority, formally appoints the Commission’s new leadership.

Following the appointment of their leadership, the Parliament, the European Council, the Council and the Commission begin implementing the EU’s overall political strategy.

At the beginning of a new legislative term, the Commission President sets out the Commission’s Political Priorities for the term and presents them to the Parliament. These priorities are based on the European Council’s Strategic Agenda and the discussions with the political groups of the Parliament.

During the mandate, in September the President of the European Commission also delivers the State of the Union address to the Parliament. The address takes stock of the achievements of the past year and presents the priorities for the year ahead.

Find out more on the European institutions and leadership