Commission, the “engine” ” “of European integration

The European Commission has a wide range of tasks and functions within the EU’s political system. In the “institutional triangle” – Parliament, Council of Ministers, Commission – Parliament and Council take the decisions, while the Commission is the “engine” of integration and the “guardian” of the Treaties. Last but not least, it is the “executive” force of the Community. Its role as engine of integration stems from the Commission inasmuch as community interests are identified within the framework of responsibilities enshrined in the Treaties – it submits legislative proposals, policies and actions to the two decision-making bodies. Its activities are guided by the objectives and by the rules stipulated in the Treaties. It is carried out in a collegial manner, whereby the Commissioner, with the portfolio encompassing the issue at stake, takes the responsibility but decides in agreement with the other commissioners so as to put together a majority in support of the proposal. As guardian of the Treaties, the Commission takes action against the violation of the Treaties, bringing the “culprit” – i.e. the Countries that fail to respects them – before the European Court of Justice, or in case of infringement of competition regulations, the Commission itself decides the penalty. In its executive capacities the Commission manages the EU budget and handles, among other things, laws, directives, decisions taken by the Council of Ministers and the European Parliament. Under the leadership of Jean-Claude Juncker, long-time Prime Minister of Luxembourg and former President of the Eurogroup, the new Commission – i.e. the college of 28 commissioners – elected on October 22, will begin its work by November 1 for a five-year term. Its composition in the months following the European elections in May, compared to previous years, shows some peculiarities due to the growing power of the EU Parliament and, in general, to the politicization of European institutions. In fact, this process began during the election campaign, with the decision of European political parties to go to the polls on 22 to 25 May presenting candidates for the office of President of the Commission and with the agreement whereby the candidate of the party which won the election would be sustained by the other parties in the vote in Parliament. And this is what actually happened. Juncker, candidate of the European People’s Party, with a victorious outcome at the European elections gaining a relative majority of votes, was appointed and then elected by the European Parliament in Strasbourg. Juncker has also put together a “team” whose structure has rendered ineffective otherwise customary habits. He has not only increased the number of vice-presidents to seven, he also assigned to each of them the responsibility of an area (economy and growth, energy union, digital agenda, social dialogue…). The commissioners responsible for the various areas are thus effectively subordinated to vice-presidents. This is unusual, because in principle the commissioners are all on an equal footing. A hierarchy such as the one created by Juncker can facilitate the decision-making process but it could also trigger tensions that risk complicating future decisions. The 28 members of the European Commission – which in the meantime had to pass challenging hearings at the European parliament – are not the representatives of the 28 States of which they are citizens, and thus of the interests of their countries of origin. Rather, they represent the European common interest. They also are not experts or “bureaucrats”, as Juncker pointed out in the European Assembly Hall. They have all matured political experience as parliamentarians, ministers or heads of government. They have pledged to commit themselves for the whole community, for the interests and the common good of the Union. Therefore they must be independent and not take instructions or requests from governments which have nominated them. In short, the Commission is appointed by the European Council, but Parliament exercises control over the Commission and may withdraw its confidence. As said, the Commission is the College of Commissioners. But the Commission is also an administrative machine that is directed by the Council, which Commissioners refer to in the exercise of their functions. Under certain aspects the Commission is a large “think-tank”, in which is reflected the future of the Union relentlessly and systematically through the contribution of Member States, of civil society and of the academic realm. The outcomes of this reflection are found in draft laws and planning guidelines that advance European unification and integration at different levels and in different areas of economic, social and cultural development. The decision as to which of these projects should then be implemented and financed is taken by the Council of Ministers – which represents the interests of Member States – and by the European Parliament – which expresses the will of citizens.