European Commission

The European Commission is the executive branch of the European Union (EU) and is responsible for implementing EU policies, drafting EU laws, managing the EU budget, and defending the general interests of the EU. Here is more detailed information about the European Commission:

1. Establishment: The European Commission was established with the signing of the Treaty of Rome in 1957. The Treaties, which laid the foundation for the European Economic Community (EEC), envisioned the six founding countries (Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands) acting together. The structure that emerged from the EEC is now known as the European Union.

2. Members: The European Commission consists of 27 members, each representing a different EU country. Each member is proposed by the European Council and approved by the European Parliament. The President of the Commission is selected from among the proposed and approved members by the European Council.

3. Responsibilities: The main responsibilities of the European Commission include:

– Implementing EU policies: The European Commission is responsible for implementing EU policies and enforcing EU laws. These cover areas such as the functioning of the internal market, competition policy, agriculture, environment, energy, transportation, and many others.

– Drafting EU laws: The European Commission prepares draft laws and presents them to the European Council and the European Parliament. These laws are then implemented in the EU member countries, harmonizing EU policies.

– Managing the EU budget: The European Commission prepares and manages the EU budget. The EU budget provides funding for implementing EU policies and offers financial assistance programs to EU member countries.

– Defending the general interests of the EU: The European Commission places the general interests of the EU above national interests. It manages the EU’s external relations, represents EU international policies, and defends the EU’s interests on international platforms.

4. Structure: The European Commission operates under a collective leadership structure, consisting of a President and Commissioners. The President of the Commission guides the Commission’s policies and represents the EU externally. Commissioners take responsibility for different policy areas and ensure the implementation of EU policies.

5. Accountability and Transparency: The European Commission places great emphasis on accountability and transparency. It uses various communication tools to convey its decisions and activities transparently. Additionally, it reports to the European Council and the European Parliament and is subject to their oversight.

The European Commission plays a crucial role in implementing EU policies and defending the interests of the EU. It collaborates with EU member countries to achieve the overall objectives of the EU and represents the interests of EU citizens.