Overview
The European Commission is the EU's politically independent executive arm. It is alone responsible for drawing up proposals for new European legislation, and it implements the decisions of the European Parliament and the Council of the EU. Show
What does the Commission do?Proposes new lawsThe Commission is the sole EU institution tabling laws for adoption by the Parliament and the Council that:
Manages EU policies & allocates EU funding
Enforces EU law
Represents the EU internationally
CompositionPolitical leadership is provided by a team of 27 Commissioners (one from each EU country) – led by the Commission President, who decides who is responsible for which policy area. The College of Commissioners is composed of the President of the Commission, eight Vice-Presidents, including three Executive Vice-Presidents, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, and 18 Commissioners, each responsible for a portfolio. The day-to-day running of Commission business is performed by its staff (lawyers, economists, etc.), organised into departments known as Directorates-General (DGs), each responsible for a specific policy area. Appointing the PresidentThe candidate is put forward by national leaders in the European Council, taking account of the results of the European Parliament elections. He or she needs the support of a majority of members of the European Parliament in order to be elected. Selecting the teamThe Presidential candidate selects potential Vice-Presidents and Commissioners based on suggestions from the EU countries. The list of nominees has to be approved by national leaders in the European Council. Each nominee appears before the European Parliament to explain their vision and answer questions. Parliament then votes on whether to accept the nominees as a team. Finally, they are appointed by the European Council, by a qualified majority. The current Commission's term of office runs until 31 October 2024. How does the Commission work?Strategic planningThe President defines the policy direction for the Commission, which enables the Commissioners together to decide strategic objectives, and produce the annual work programme. Collective decision makingDecisions are taken based on collective responsibility. All Commissioners are equal in the decision-making process and equally accountable for these decisions. They do not have any individual decision-making powers, except when authorized in certain situations. The Vice-Presidents act on behalf of the President and coordinate work in their area of responsibility, together with several Commissioners. Priority projects are defined to help ensure that the College works together in a close and flexible manner. Commissioners support Vice-Presidents in submitting proposals to the College. In general, decisions are made by consensus, but votes can also take place. In this case, decisions are taken by simple majority, where every Commissioner has one vote. The relevant Directorate-General (headed by a Director-General, answerable to the relevant Commissioner) then takes up the subject. This is usually done in the form of draft legislative proposals. These are then resubmitted to the Commissioners for adoption at their weekly meeting, after which they become official, and are sent to the Council and the Parliament for the next stage in the EU legislative process. The European Commission and youGive inputIf you want to give us your views on EU policies or suggest changes or new policies, you have various options:
Get infoThe Commission also provides advice & information services to help you with business, study, legal matters, and moving and working around Europe. Contact usFor any questions you have about our work:
Access to documentsAccess to information Commission President calendar Commissioners' calendar Further informationWho's who Audiovisual material Funding Publications European Commission Library and e-Resources Centre (Find-eR) Jobs Which of the following is true of independent regulatory commissions?Which of the following is true of independent regulatory commissions? They exercise quasi-legislative, quasi-judicial, and executives functions.
What is the major purpose of an independent regulatory commission?Independent regulatory agencies are federal agencies created by an act of Congress that are independent of the executive departments. Though they are considered part of the executive branch, these agencies are meant to impose and enforce regulations free of political influence.
Which of the following is a part of the agenda setting stage of the public policy cycle?Which of the following is a part of the agenda-setting stage of the public policy cycle? -(Correct)- Elected officials place issues on their policy agendas.
Which of the following is the fifth stage in the public policy cycle?The policy process is normally conceptualized as sequential parts or stages. These are (1) problem emergence, (2) agenda setting, (3) consideration of policy options, (3) decision-making, (5) implementation, and (6) evaluation (Jordan and Adelle, 2012).
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