What is the European Commission?

00:03:37
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H824RAPUOlc

Summary

TLDRThe European Commission is a key institution of the EU, often viewed as its executive branch. Comprised of 27 Commissioners, each from an EU member state, the Commission is responsible for proposing new laws and ensuring their implementation. It acts through its four main roles: legislative initiatives, monitoring the enforcement of EU policies, representing the EU internationally, and managing the EU budget. Although significant in crafting policies like the GDPR, the Commission's proposals need approval from both the European Parliament and the Council of the EU. The leadership includes a president nominated by the European Council and approved by the European Parliament. Once elected, the Commission remains accountable to the Parliament which holds the power to dismiss it. Headquartered in Brussels with over 32,000 staff, the Commission promotes and enforces policies beneficial for EU citizens and addresses global challenges.

Takeaways

  • 💼 The European Commission is the EU's executive branch, crucial in policy-making.
  • 👥 There are 27 Commissioners, one from each EU member state.
  • 🏢 Headquartered in Brussels, it employs over 32,000 staff.
  • 📜 It holds the exclusive right to propose new EU laws.
  • 🗣️ Represents the EU internationally in trade and diplomacy.
  • 💶 Manages and ensures proper spending of the EU budget.
  • ⚖️ Monitors and ensures EU laws are implemented by member states.
  • 🔄 The President is proposed by the European Council, approved by the Parliament.
  • 📊 Commissioners are nominated by EU member governments.
  • 🛡️ GDPR is one of its notable legislative achievements, enhancing data privacy.

Timeline

  • 00:00:00 - 00:03:37

    The video discusses the European Commission's role and structure. It highlights that the Commission is the EU's executive branch, comprising 27 Commissioners, each overseeing specific policy areas. The Commission proposes new legislation, ensures EU laws are enforced, represents the EU internationally, and manages the EU's budget. The Commission is led by a President, proposed by the European Council and approved by the European Parliament. The Commissioners are nominated by member states, and the entire Commission can be dismissed by the European Parliament.

Mind Map

Video Q&A

  • What is the main role of the European Commission?

    The main role of the European Commission is to propose new laws and policies at the EU level and ensure they are implemented by member states.

  • Who leads the European Commission?

    The European Commission is led by 27 Commissioners and one president.

  • Where is the European Commission headquartered?

    The European Commission is headquartered in Brussels, Belgium.

  • Who proposes the president of the European Commission?

    The president of the European Commission is proposed by the European Council.

  • What is GDPR and how is it related to the European Commission?

    GDPR is the General Data Protection Regulation, a law proposed by the European Commission, that governs how companies use, process, and store personal data.

  • What happens if a member state fails to implement EU laws properly?

    The European Commission can take legal action against member states that fail to comply with EU laws.

  • How does the European Commission interact internationally?

    The European Commission represents the EU on the international stage in matters of trade, humanitarian aid, and negotiating international agreements.

  • How are the Commissioners of the European Commission chosen?

    The Commissioners are nominated by the governments of EU member states.

  • What happens if the European Parliament does not approve the Commission president?

    If the European Parliament does not approve the Commission president, a vote of confidence is not passed, and a new candidate must be proposed.

  • What is the European Green Deal and who leads it?

    The European Green Deal is a policy portfolio led by Franz Timmermans from the Netherlands.

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  • 00:00:04
    Did you know that the European Commission  is responsible for proposing new laws and policies?
  • 00:00:08
    As well as ensuring that EU laws are properly  implemented by the member states?
  • 00:00:12
    This video will explore: what the European Commission is, what it does, and who controls it.
  • 00:00:17
    The European commission is one of the main institutions of the European Union
  • 00:00:21
    and is often referred to as the EU's Executive branch of government.
  • 00:00:25
    There are a total of 27 Commissioners, one from each EU member State.
  • 00:00:29
    Each Commissioner holds an individual portfolio covering a specific policy area.
  • 00:00:34
    For example, the European Green Deal is led by Franz Timmermans from the Netherlands.
  • 00:00:39
    Foreign policy is led by Josep Borrell from Spain
  • 00:00:41
    and then there's even a protecting the European Way of Life portfolio, that is run by Margaritis Schinas from Greece.
  • 00:00:48
    The European Commission is headquartered in Brussels, Belgium and employs over 32k staff members from all EU member countries.
  • 00:00:56
    So what does the EU Commission actually do?
  • 00:00:58
    The Commission has four main roles. Most importantly there's a legislative role where the commission is the only institution
  • 00:01:04
    with a formal authority to initiate new legislation at the EU level. This allows the Commission to propose new laws and policies
  • 00:01:12
    for consideration by the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union.
  • 00:01:17
    However, it is important to note that the Commission's legislative proposals must be approved
  • 00:01:22
    by both the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union before they can become law.
  • 00:01:26
    For example, in 2012 the commission proposed to strengthen online privacy rights
  • 00:01:32
    and by 2016 the General Data Protection Regulation, also called GDPR came into effect.
  • 00:01:38
    GDPR is now widely adopted and governs the way in which companies can use, process, and store your personal data.
  • 00:01:45
    Secondly, the commission is responsible for ensuring that EU policies and laws are properly implemented by the member states.
  • 00:01:52
    It monitors the implementation of EU law and can take legal action against member states that fail to comply.
  • 00:01:58
    For example, the Commission has taken legal action against Hungary and Poland for violating the rights of LGBT people.
  • 00:02:06
    Thirdly, the commission represents the EU on the international stage. It speaks on behalf of all of its member states,
  • 00:02:12
    in matters of Trade, Humanitarian Aid and negotiating International Agreements.
  • 00:02:18
    And lastly, the Commission manages the EU's budget and programs ensuring that funds are spent appropriately and effectively.
  • 00:02:25
    So who controls the commission? and how are they elected?
  • 00:02:29
    The European commission is led by 27 Commissioners and one president.
  • 00:02:32
    The president is not directly elected by the citizens of the European Union,
  • 00:02:37
    instead, the European Council made up of the EU heads of state proposes a presidential candidate to the Parliament.
  • 00:02:43
    Because the choice of candidates must take into account the European election results,
  • 00:02:47
    the proposed candidate generally comes from the largest political group in the parliament.
  • 00:02:51
    The parliament then has to approve the new commission president by an absolute majority.
  • 00:02:56
    The other 26 Commissioners are nominated by the governments of the EU member states.
  • 00:03:00
    The president-elect and allocates policy portfolios to the candidate Commissioners, before a final vote is needed in the parliament.
  • 00:03:07
    Once appointed, the Commission is accountable to the European Parliament,
  • 00:03:11
    which has the power to dismiss the entire commission through a vote of no confidence.
  • 00:03:15
    Overall, the Commission is an important Institution because it helps to promote and enforce policies that benefit the citizens of the EU,
  • 00:03:23
    and address Global challenges. This channel is all about the EU, so if you want more educational videos about institutions or EU current events
  • 00:03:30
    Please Subscribe and if you want to support the  Channel please consider signing up to Patreon.
Tags
  • European Commission
  • EU legislation
  • GDPR
  • international representation
  • EU budget
  • European Parliament
  • European Council
  • Transnational policies
  • EU member states
  • Brussels