European Commission: Structure, Function, and Dynamics

Mandate and General Interest (Article 17 TEU)

The European Commission (EC) is tasked with promoting the general interest of the Union. Despite its significant role, the EC's members are not directly elected by EU citizens. Each Member State (MS) nominates a Commissioner, typically someone from the ruling party's political family.

President of the European Commission

• Selection Process:

◦ The President is proposed by the European Council and elected by the European Parliament (EP).

◦ Policy proposals are developed by Commission departments, known as Directorates-General (DG). For example, DG GROW is responsible for the single market.

Legislative and Executive Roles

• Legislative Task:

◦ The Commission has the exclusive right to initiate legislation.

◦ Proposed laws must be approved by both the European Parliament and the European Council.

◦ There is debate over whether this power should be transferred to a more representative institution like the EP.

• Executive Task ("Guardian of the Treaties"):

◦ The Commission enforces EU laws, including competition, data protection, and privacy laws.

◦ It manages EU policy and the budget, drafting the budget for approval.

National vs. European Interests

• Thomson & Dumont, 2022:

◦ The conventional view holds that the Commission should act in pan-European interests.

◦ However, the "National Commissioner dividend" suggests that Commissioners' policies often align with their home state's interests.

◦ Some Commissioners, with aspirations to return to national politics, have a reputation for advancing national agendas.

Balancing National and European Roles

• Dual Nature:

◦ The Commission is seen as both an "engine of integration" and a "conduit of national interests."

◦ Each Commissioner heads a DG, providing opportunities to pursue national interests.

• Mechanisms of Constraint:

◦ Selection Process:

▪ The President must accept nominations from MS and propose them to the EP for approval.

◦ Monitoring:

▪ Commissioners operate under collective responsibility through the College of Commissioners, which helps balance national and European interests.

Conclusion

The European Commission is a complex institution balancing national interests and pan-European goals. While it plays a crucial role in promoting the Union's general interest and ensuring the enforcement of EU laws, it is also influenced by the national origins and aspirations of its Commissioners. Understanding this dynamic is essential to grasp the Commission's functioning and its impact on European integration.