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Commission President

José Manuel Barroso, Commission President (Photo: European Commission)

The European Commission is led by a President.  Since 1958, eleven political figures succeeded in this role.  Currently, President of the European Commission is José Barroso, a former Portuguese Prime Minister. According to the Treaty of Nice the President is appointed by a super qualified majority of at least 20 of the 27 Prime Ministers in the European Council and approved by a simple majority in the European Parliament.

The President of the Commission lays down the broad policy lines to be followed by the Commission in its work. He decides on the allocation of responsibilities among the Commissioners and any reshuffling of portfolios during the Commission's term of office.

He also, after approval by the College, appoints the Vice-Presidents, the number of which is not specified in the Treaty. He may further, after obtaining the approval of the College, require a Member of the Commission to resign. 

The future

France and Germany have proposed that the Commission President shall be appointed by the European Parliament.

The Lisbon Treaty proposes that a super qualified majority in the Council (72% majority of Member States who together comprise 65% of the EU population) shall appoint a candidate to be approved (elected) by the European Parliament with an absolute majority of its members. If the European Parliament rejects the candidate the process starts over. See Article 17.7 TEU  

Links

See also Commission and Censure.
Website of Mr. Barroso http://ec.europa.eu/commission......barroso/president/index_en.htm