Written by Ralf Drachenberg.
The European Council consists of the Heads of State or Government of the 27 EU Member States, as well as the President of the European Council and the President of the European Commission. It became a formal European Union (EU) institution with a full-time President in 2009, with the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon. Although it does not include legislative functions, the European Council’s role – to ‘provide the Union with the necessary impetus for its development’ and to define its ‘general political directions and priorities’ – has developed rapidly over the past 15 years. The European Council’s President plays a crucial part in the preparation, conduct and follow-up of meetings as well as in the external representation of the Union.
On 1 December 2024, former Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa will take over as President of the European Council. This briefing provides an overview of the functions and responsibilities of this office by answering some of the most frequently asked questions in relation to the President of the European Council. It also looks at the mandates of the previous office-holders and the President’s interaction with the European Parliament.
This updates an EPRS briefing from March 2022.
Read the complete briefing on ‘Role and election of the President of the European Council: Frequently asked questions (FAQ)‘ in the Think Tank pages of the European Parliament.
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