European Commission

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European Commission Established by the Treaty of Rome in 1957, the European Commission's principal role has been that of the ‘guardian of the founding treaties’ of the EU. A unique, supranational body whose seat is in Brussels, its composition has changed with each wave of enlargement. Before the Eastern Enlargement projected for 2004/5, its was composed of twenty commissioners from the fifteen member states of the EU. It heads the civil service of the European Union, which was composed of about 17,000 employees in 2000, and which deals with issues ranging from regional policy, agriculture, culture, energy, employment, environment, enlargement, and foreign affairs. As such, the Commission has obtained a unique position within the European Union, as the only body with detailed information on all areas within its purview across all member states. Moreover, it was responsible for over 150 diplomatic missions of the EU throughout the world. The Commission's power has been further enhanced by its executive functions. Throughout its history it has jealously guarded its sole power of initiative, so that it alone can initiate European legislation to come before the European Council and the European Parliament. Moreover, by passing directives, regulations, and decisions to implement legislation, it has gained enormous practical influence upon the economics, society, and environment of the EU member states. Beyond its regular powers, the Commission's influence as a driving force of European integration has been largely contingent upon the political adeptness of its members, especially its President. Its most influential period was under the Presidency of Jacques Delors, 1985–95.

http://www.europa.eu.int

Table 7. Presidents of the European Commission

European Commission (EC), institution of the European Union (EU) invested with executive powers; it also is the main EU institution that initiates legislation. Located in Brussels, Belgium, it was founded in 1967 when the three treaty organizations comprising what was then the European Community were officially merged; previously, each organization was governed by a separate commission. The commission is composed of 27 members—one from each EU nation, but under the Lisbon Treaty (ratified 2009) its membership will be reduced beginning in 2014. Members are appointed by European Council and serve four-year terms; the commission membership must be approved by the European Parliament . One member serves as president and six serve as vice presidents. A large administrative staff, numbering some 25,000, is divided among many committees and administrative agencies. The commission implements the provisions of the EU's governing treaties and carries out legislation enacted by the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament.

In keeping with the objective of the founding treaties, the commission initiates EU policy on the economy in particular but, increasingly, also on environmental and foreign and security affairs. The legislation it proposes is subject to amendment and approval by the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union. It was under the presidency of Jacques Delors (1985–95) that the commission put forward the Single European Act (1987) and the Treaty of European Union (1992; also known as the Maastricht Treaty), both of which provided for a significant expansion of the EU's powers. In 1995, Jacques Santer of Belgium became president of the commission. The entire commission resigned in 1999 amid accusations of financial mismanagement, corruption, fraud, and nepotism, and a new set of commissioners, with Romano Prodi of Italy as president, was appointed later the same year. In 2004, José Manuel Barroso succeeded Prodi as president.

European Commission Institution responsible for initiating and implementing European Union (EU) policy. The Commission drafts policy proposals, which it submits to the European Council of Ministers and the European Parliament (EP). It was established (1967) with the creation of the European Community (EC). There are 20 commissioners, two from France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the UK, and one each from the remaining member states. Each commissioner has responsibility for a different policy area and pledges loyalty to the EU rather than individual member states. The commissioners elect the President of the Commission for a four-year term. The Commission heads a secretariat of c.15,000 civil servants based in Brussels. It is responsible to the European Parliament, which can remove it on a censure motion carried by a two-thirds majority. In 1999, following charges of corruption, Jacques Santer and his commissioners resigned.

http://eu.int/comm/index_en.htm