European Commission

Resume
Identification
European Commission
Acronym
EC
Homepage
http://ec.europa.eu/index_en.htm
Foundation
1957 by the EC Treaty
The EU institution:
European Commission
Key facts:

Is independent of national governments
Represens and uphold the interests of the EU as a whole
Draws up drafts proposals for new European laws
Is responsible for implementing the decisions of Parliament and the Council. That means managing the day-to-day business of the European Union: implementing its policies, running its programmes and spending its funds.

Commission's President
José Manuel Barroso, from Portugal. Term until 31 October 2014.
Commission's President Election
Election procedures:

Every five years, within six months of the elections to the European Parliament.
The Member State governments agree together on who to designate as the new Commission President.
The Commission President-designate is then approved by Parliament.
The Commission President-designate, in discussion with the Member State governments, chooses the other Members of the Commission.
The Council adopts the list of nominees by qualified majority and communicates it to the European Parliament for approval.
Parliament then interviews each nominee and votes its opinion on the whole team.
Following Parliaments vote of approval, the new Commission is formally appointed by the Council, acting by qualified majority.

Staff
33.681 Persons
See figures Jan/2009 at: http://ec.europa.eu/civil_service/docs/key_figures_2009_externe_en.pdf
Budget
3,4 Billion Euros
See figures Dec/2008 at: http://ec.europa.eu/budget/documents/2008_en.htm
Base
Where is Commission?

The base is in Brussels (Belgium)
Has offices in Luxembourg
Has representations in all EU countries
Has delegations in many capital cities around the world

European Commission's Roles
The European Commission has four main roles:

to propose legislation to Parliament and the Council;
to manage and implement EU policies and the budget;
to enforce European law (jointly with the Court of Justice);
to represent the European Union on the international stage, for example by negotiating agreements between the EU and other countries.

Some Examples of
Communication (COM)
Documents from the Commission

COM(2008)133 of 11.03.2008 Communication COM(2008) 133 - Towards an increased contribution from standardisation to innovation in Europe

Resume
Identification	European Commission
Acronym	EC
Homepage	http://ec.europa.eu/index_en.htm
Foundation	1957 by the EC Treaty
The EU institution: European Commission	Key facts: Is independent of national governments Represens and uphold the interests of the EU as a whole Draws up drafts proposals for new European laws Is responsible for implementing the decisions of Parliament and the Council. That means managing the day-to-day business of the European Union: implementing its policies, running its programmes and spending its funds.
Commission's President	José Manuel Barroso, from Portugal. Term until 31 October 2014.
Commission's President Election	Election procedures: Every five years, within six months of the elections to the European Parliament. The Member State governments agree together on who to designate as the new Commission President. The Commission President-designate is then approved by Parliament. The Commission President-designate, in discussion with the Member State governments, chooses the other Members of the Commission. The Council adopts the list of nominees by qualified majority and communicates it to the European Parliament for approval. Parliament then interviews each nominee and votes its opinion on the whole team. Following Parliaments vote of approval, the new Commission is formally appointed by the Council, acting by qualified majority.
Staff	33.681 Persons See figures Jan/2009 at: http://ec.europa.eu/civil_service/docs/key_figures_2009_externe_en.pdf
Budget	3,4 Billion Euros See figures Dec/2008 at: http://ec.europa.eu/budget/documents/2008_en.htm
Base	Where is Commission? The base is in Brussels (Belgium) Has offices in Luxembourg Has representations in all EU countries Has delegations in many capital cities around the world
European Commission's Roles	The European Commission has four main roles: to propose legislation to Parliament and the Council; to manage and implement EU policies and the budget; to enforce European law (jointly with the Court of Justice); to represent the European Union on the international stage, for example by negotiating agreements between the EU and other countries.
Some Examples of Communication (COM) Documents from the Commission	COM(2008)133 of 11.03.2008 Communication COM(2008) 133 - Towards an increased contribution from standardisation to innovation in Europe