European Council: Role, Organization, and Leadership

What is the Role of the European Council?

The European Council is composed of the Heads of Government of each member state of the European Union, the President of the European Commission, and the High Representative for Foreign Affairs & Security Policy.

The European Council is in charge of designating the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

After the European Parliament elections, the European Council proposes a candidate for the post of President of the European Commission. When deciding on their nominee, the European Council considers the outcome of the European Parliament elections.

The choice of the candidate requires a qualified majority.

The European Council can also choose to end the High Representative's five-year term of office, again with a qualified majority.

How is the European Council Organized?

The European Council usually meets four times a year, but the President can convene additional meetings to address urgent issues. Every decision has to be made unanimously.

It generally decides issues by consensus, but in some cases, decisions are taken by unanimity or qualified majority. Only the Heads of State or Government can vote.

This institution is located in Brussels, and its President is Donald Tusk, who is responsible for convening and chairing European Council meetings and driving forward its work.

Presidency of the European Council

The presidency of the European Council rotates every six months between the member states. The Treaty of Lisbon established a permanent President of the European Council, who assumes the work previously assigned to rotating presidencies. This new institutional arrangement is designed to lend a degree of visibility and stability to the Presidency of the European Council.

Election and Responsibilities of the President

The President is elected by the 27 Heads of Government by a qualified majority for a term of two and a half years, renewable once. They chair and drive forward the work of the European Council, facilitating cohesion and consensus within the European Council. The President does not take part in the vote and presents a report to the European Parliament after each of the meetings of the European Council.

Responsibilities of the President

Being the President of the European Union is a duty that demands great responsibility because they ensure the external representation of the Union, as in the EU-US Summit or the EU-China Summit, together with the President of the Commission and the High Representative.