The European Commission

This is the second lesson of the macro topic “EU institutions, competences and functioning” in the first module.

The objective of this lesson, led by Francesca Berti, is to examine the operational procedures of the EU Commission.

The European Commission stands as the most distinctive institution in the EU system — a hybrid body that blurs the lines between national and supranational authority. Often described as the “engine” of European integration, it acts in the general interest of the Union, holding together policy-making, legal enforcement, and executive management.

A supranational body — with national links

Headquartered in Brussels and Luxembourg, the Commission is made up of:

• One Commissioner per Member State (27 total),
• Appointed for renewable five-year terms,
• Expected to act independently of national governments.

Commissioners are typically former ministers or senior public figures and are required to comply with a strict code of conduct that bans professional activities outside their mandate.

Exclusive powers of initiative and oversight

The Commission holds the exclusive right of legislative initiative — only it can submit draft laws to the European Parliament and Council. Even when prompted by these institutions, the Commission retains control over the content and trajectory of its proposals, which can only be amended by:

• Unanimity in the Council, or
• An absolute majority in the European Parliament.

It is also responsible for:

• Monitoring the application of EU law,
• Launching infringement procedures against Member States in violation,
• Managing aspects of the EU budget (although revenue ceilings and expenditure frameworks are set jointly by Parliament and Council).

Policy enforcement and administrative reach

Through its Directorates-General, agencies, and offices, the Commission:

• Supervises implementation of EU policies carried out by Member States,
• Handles direct executive responsibilities in areas such as competition policy,
• Represents the EU internationally in trade negotiations and agreements.

Despite its far-reaching duties, the Commission often lacks resources to fully enforce oversight — relying on national administrative capacity and Court of Justice supervision when conflicts arise.

Appointment process: From elections to hearings

Under the Lisbon Treaty, the process for selecting the President and Commissioners emphasizes democratic accountability:

1. European Council proposes a candidate for Commission President, taking into account European election results.
2. European Parliament elects the President by absolute majority.
3. The President and Member States propose the College of Commissioners, subject to:
   • EP hearings and approval by vote,
   • Formal appointment by the European Council (qualified majority),
   • Collective swearing-in before the Court of Justice.

This process has become increasingly demanding, with the EP regularly using its veto power to reshape the College based on political and ethical scrutiny.

Relationship with the European Parliament: Collegial, but conditional

The Commission is collectively responsible before the Parliament, meaning:

• The EP can trigger a motion of censure requiring resignation of the entire College,
• The President of the Commission must maintain a cooperative, trust-based relationship with the EP.

This collegiality is balanced with strong presidential leadership. The President:

• Defines political guidelines,
• Sets the internal organization and assigns portfolios,
• Appoints Vice-Presidents and may demand Commissioner resignations.

The Commission’s identity: Technician, political actor, or both?

Once dominated by experts and civil servants, the Commission has become more political over time — especially since the introduction of the Spitzenkandidat process, linking EP elections to the choice of Commission President.

Yet it remains subject to a constant tension:

• It speaks for the “Union interest,”
• But is often blamed as a distant “Brussels bureaucracy” — a convenient scapegoat for unpopular measures.

With its blend of executive power, law enforcement, and legislative initiative, the European Commission is not just an institution: it is the institutional core of the European project. Its capacity to act — effectively and independently — continues to shape how far and how fast European integration can go.