Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what are the duties and powers of (1) the European Commission, and (2) the President of the European Commission.

The European Commission has a number of functions. It has the right of initiative in making proposals for legislation. As guardian of the EU treaties, it ensures that EU legislation is applied by all Member States under the control of the Court of Justice. As an executive body for the EU, it exercises coordinating, executive and management functions, as laid down in the Treaties, and manages the annual budget.

The President of the European Commission lays down guidelines within which the Commission is to work. The President also decides on the internal organisation of the Commission, ensuring that it acts consistently, efficiently and as a collegiate body. The President appoints the Vice-Presidents from among the members of the Commission, with the exception of the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.