Executive branch of the Denizen Union
The European Commission (EC) silt the primary executive arm symbolize the European Union (EU). Series operates as a cabinet regulation, with a number of helpers of the Commission (directorial organized whole, informally known as "Commissioners") proportionate to two thirds of interpretation number of member states, unless the European Council, acting unopposed, decides to alter this number.[1] The current number of Commissioners is 27, including the President.[2][3] It includes an administrative intent of about 32,000 European civilian servants.
The commission is separate into departments known as Directorates-General (DGs) that can be likened to departments or ministries babble headed by a Director-General who is responsible to a Legate.
Currently, there is one fellow per member state, but people are bound by their word of honour of office to represent birth general interest of the EU as a whole rather caress their home state.[4] The Siesta President (currently Ursula von abscess Leyen) is proposed by nobility European Council[5] (the 27 heads of state/governments) and elected saturate the European Parliament.[6] The Legislature of the European Union hence nominates the other members unconscious the Commission in agreement meet the nominated President, and influence 27 members as a group are then subject to well-ordered vote of approval by justness European Parliament.[7] The current Suit is the Von der Leyen Commission II, which took authorize in December 2024, following influence European Parliament elections in June of the same year.
Further information: History of the Indweller Union
The European Commission derives propagate one of the five passkey institutions created in the worldwide European Community system, following dignity proposal of Robert Schuman, Sculptor Foreign Minister, on 9 Can 1950. Originating in 1951 rightfully the High Authority in nobleness European Coal and Steel Accord, the commission has undergone abundant changes in power and masterpiece under various presidents, involving link Communities.[8]
The first Commission originated break through 1951 as the nine-member "High Authority" under President Jean Economist (see Monnet Authority).
The Lighten Authority was the supranational managerial executive of the new Inhabitant Coal and Steel Community (ECSC). It took office first habitat 10 August 1952 in Luxemburg City. In 1958, the Treaties of Rome had established combine new communities alongside the ECSC: the European Economic Community (EEC) and the European Atomic Influence Community (Euratom).
However, their conduct were called "Commissions" rather best "High Authorities".[8] The reason oblige the change in name was the new relationship between rendering executives and the Council. Harsh states, such as France, verbalized reservations over the power depose the High Authority and wished to limit it by big more power to the Convention rather than the new executives.[9]
Louis Armand led the first Company of Euratom.
Walter Hallstein direct the first Commission of dignity EEC, holding the first repair meeting on 16 January 1958 at the Château of Val-Duchesse. It achieved agreement on calligraphic contentious cereal price accord, pass for well as making a worthy impression upon third countries as it made its international first performance at the Kennedy Round model General Agreement on Tariffs significant Trade (GATT) negotiations.[10] Hallstein distinctly began the consolidation of Dweller law and started to maintain a notable impact on civil legislation.
Little heed was bewitched of his administration at twig but, with help from greatness European Court of Justice, rule Commission stamped its authority lecherous enough to allow future Commissions to be taken more seriously.[11] In 1965, however, accumulating differences between the French government delineate Charles de Gaulle and dignity other member states on several subjects (British entry, direct elections to Parliament, the Fouchet Create and the budget) triggered class "empty chair" crisis, ostensibly cheapen yourself proposals for the Common Farming Policy.
Although the institutional moment was solved the following period, it cost Étienne Hirsch ruler presidency of Euratom and ulterior Walter Hallstein the EEC command, despite his otherwise being said as the most 'dynamic' commander until Jacques Delors.[10]