President of the European Commission
The president of the European Commission (also known as president of the College of Commissioners or prime commissioner) is the head of the European Commission, the executive branch of the European Union (EU). The president of the commission leads a cabinet of commissioners, referred to as the college. The president is empowered to allocate portfolios among, reshuffle, or dismiss commissioners as necessary. The college directs the commission's civil service, sets the policy agenda and determines the legislative proposals it produces. The commission is the only body that can propose[b] or draft bills to become EU laws.
Not to be confused with Presidency of the Council of the European Union or President of the European Council.President of the European Commission
College of Commissioners
European Council
European Parliament
European Council
Berlaymont, Brussels, Belgium
European Council
European Parliament
Five years, renewable
1 January 1958
€25,554 per month[2]
The commission president also represents the EU abroad, together with the president of the European Council and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
The post was established in 1958. Each new president is nominated by the European Council and elected by the European Parliament,[c] for a five-year term.[5][6][7][8]
The president of the commission also delivers an annual State of the Union address to the European Parliament.
In July 2019, the European Council nominated Ursula von der Leyen to succeed Jean-Claude Juncker, and she was elected the 13th president of the European Commission by the European Parliament on 16 July.[9][10] Von der Leyen assumed office on 1 December 2019, following the approval of her nominated College of Commissioners by the European Parliament.[11]
Term of office[edit]
The president is elected for a renewable five-year term starting five months after the elections to the European Parliament. These were brought into alignment via the Maastricht Treaty (prior to which the commission had a four-year term of office) and the elections take place in June every five years (in years ending in 4 and 9).[56] This alignment has led to a closer relationship between the elections and the president themself with the above-mentioned proposals for political parties running with candidates.
The president and their Commission may be removed from office by a vote of censure from Parliament. Parliament has never done this to date; however, the imminence of such a vote in 1999, due to allegations of financial mismanagement, led to the Santer Commission resigning on its own accord, before the Parliamentary vote.[57]
Privileges of office[edit]
The basic monthly salary of the president is fixed at 138% of the top civil service grade[71] which, in 2013, amounted to €25,351 per month or €304,212 per year plus an allowance for a residence equal to 15% of salary as well as other allowances including for children's schooling and household expenses.[72]