European Commission
The European Commission is a component of the EU executive branch.
Contents
Composition
The European Commission is headed by a president. The president is nominated by the European Council and then elected by the European Parliament.
The Commission consists of 27 commissioners that are nominated by the Council of the European Union and then approved by the European Parliament.
Under the Commission is a bureaucracy organized into Directorate-Generals.
Some of the commissioners hold elevated positions:
Vice Presidents oversee policy areas that involve multiple commissioners
the High Representative (a.k.a. HR/VP), also a Vice President automatically, coordinates defense and foriegn affairs policy
Executive Vice Presidents additionally oversee a Directorate-General
History
Powers
The president sits on the European Council as a non-voting member.
The HR/VP presides over the Council of the European Union when it discusses foreign policy.
Each commissioner is assigned a portfolio by the president, with each post having variable powers and responsibilities.