Current Office Holders
| President of the European Council | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Institution | European Council | The duty of the European Council President is primarily that of preparing and chairing the meetings of the European Council. The position became 30-month appointed position, elected by the members of the European Council, in 2009 by virtue of the Treaty of Lisbon. Before, it rotated around between the head of state or government of the country holding the Presidency of the Council of the European Union (see below). This longer term President of the European Council has been described directly by some as a new "President of the European Union". According to the Financial Times, "the president would have few formal powers, but would give the EU strategic leadership and represent the bloc on the world stage on issues such as climate change, bilateral relations and development." | ||
| Current holder | Herman Van Rompuy | |||
| State | Belgium | |||
| Party | European People's Party | |||
| Since | 1 December 2009 | |||
| President of the European Commission | ||||
| Institution | European Commission | The President of the European Commission is head of the 27-member college of Commissioners. The Commission's responsibilities include drafting legislative proposals and managing the day to day running of the EU. It is also responsible for a degree of the EU's external representation, for example attending G8 meetings. The Commission President is proposed by the European Council, who take account of the previous European Elections, before being elected by the European Parliament for a five year mandate. It has been described by some as the "President of the European Union" but a more common analogy is "Prime Minister of the European Union" given the style of position over a cabinet government. | ||
| Current holder | José Manuel Barroso | |||
| State | Portugal | |||
| Party | European People's Party | |||
| Since | 23 November 2004 | |||
| Presidency of the Council of the European Union | ||||
| Institution | Council of Ministers | The Presidency of the Council of the European Union (Council of Ministers) is rotated between member states of every 6 months. The Council is composed of the relevant national ministers depending on the topic being discussed with minister from the state holding the presidency charing. The country holding the Presidency is able to affect the overall policy direction for the six months. Since 2007, the Presidency has been co-ordinated every 18 months by three countries (a "triplet"), though one still takes a lead position every 6 months. | ||
| Current holder | Ireland | |||
| President | Enda Kenny | |||
| Party | European People's Party | |||
| Since | 1 January 2013 | |||
| President of the European Parliament | ||||
| Institution | European Parliament | The President of the European Parliament presides over the plenary of the Parliament, which is one half of the legislative branch of the Union. The President also chairs the Bureau and Conference of Presidents as well as representing the Parliament. The President's role is similar to that of a speaker in a national parliament, but also represents the Parliament externally and vis a vis the other institutions, which is a more political role. | ||
| Current holder | Martin Schulz | |||
| State | Germany | |||
| Party | Party of European Socialists | |||
| Since | 17 January 2012 | |||
Read more about this topic: List Of Presidents Of European Union Institutions
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