European Commission

Executive branch of the European Union

European Commission ▸ Facts ▸ Comments ▸ News ▸ Videos

The European Commission (EC) is the executive branch of the European Union, responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, upholding the EU treaties and managing the day-to-day business of the EU. Commissioners swear an oath at the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg City, pledging to respect the treaties and to be completely independent in carrying out their duties during their mandate. The Commissioners are proposed by the Council of the European Union, on the basis of suggestions made by the national governments, and then appointed by the European Council after the approval of the European Parliament. It is common, although not a formal requirement, that the commissioners have previously held senior political positions, such as being a member of the European Parliament or a government minister.

0 shares	Share Tweet Save Post Send



Top EU court: eastern states broke law by refusing refugees The European Union's top court ruled on Thursday that Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic had broken the law by refusing to host refugees to help ease the burden on southern states such as Greece.. Credit: Reuters Studio Duration: 01:32Published 2 days ago

Netflix, YouTube switch off HD in Europe Netflix and YouTube have agreed to switch off HD streaming in Europe after the EU asked them to help head off internet gridlock as everyone stays home. Julian Satterthwaite reports. Credit: Reuters Studio Duration: 01:03Published 2 weeks ago

EU announces repatriation flights for citizens European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has said the EU's executive arm was organising flights to repatriate more than 100,000 EU citizens struck abroad because of traffic disruption caused.. Credit: PA - Press Association STUDIO Duration: 01:34Published 2 weeks ago


U.S. and European cities shut down due to virus Cities across the United States and Europe and now being shut down in response to the global coronavirus outbreak. Gloria Tso reports. Credit: Reuters Studio Duration: 01:59Published 3 weeks ago

Countries enforce mass closures to stem virus Schools in France are closing down and large gatherings all over Europe have been canceled. But in Britain, the government's response to the coronavirus outbreak hasn't been quite as dramatic... Credit: Reuters Studio Duration: 02:06Published 3 weeks ago

The economic remedies for the coronavirus Leaders and policymakers have been forced to act as the coronavirus sparks economic panic. These are some of the key measures being taken. Megan Revell reports. Credit: Reuters Studio Duration: 02:23Published 3 weeks ago

Von der Leyen vows 'decisive' EU virus action European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen says Europe will act "very decisively and collectively" to contain the spread of the new coronavirus and counter threats to the global economy brought.. Credit: PA - Press Association STUDIO Duration: 00:52Published on March 10, 2020

Greta Thunberg slams EU over climate change bill Greta Thunberg has slammed the European Commission over a new climate change bill, which she says amounts to a 'surrender'. Credit: PA - Press Association STUDIO Duration: 00:36Published on March 4, 2020

Environment activist Thunberg meets EU chiefs Environmental activist Greta Thunberg arrived at the EU's Brussels headquarters on Wednesday to meet leaders of the bloc. Amid fierce criticism from environmental activists, the European Commission is.. Credit: PA - Press Association STUDIO Duration: 00:34Published on March 4, 2020

EU unveils plan to rein in U.S. tech giants The European Commission plans to create a single European market for data, hoping that pooling the region's deep industrial expertise could help build technology powerhouses to catch up with Silicon.. Credit: Reuters Studio Duration: 01:28Published on February 19, 2020

Google calls on European court to dismiss antitrust fine Google on Friday called on Europe's second-top court to throw out what it called an eye-catching 2.4 billion euros ($2.6 billion) EU antitrust fine, saying there was no factual or legal basis to the.. Credit: Reuters Studio Duration: 01:01Published on February 14, 2020

Google's fight against EU antitrust fine goes to court Google's fight against a 2.6 billion dollar EU antitrust fine will be played out over three days from Wednesday at Europe's second-highest court. Joe Davies reports. Credit: Reuters Studio Duration: 01:08Published on February 12, 2020

UK should be ‘more ambitious’ over post-Brexit EU trade, Von der Leyen tells MEPs The European Commission president addressed the European Parliament’s first post-Brexit session in Strasbourg.View on euronews Credit: euronews (in English) Duration: 01:58Published on February 11, 2020

Coronavirus: EU health ministers called to Brussels for emergency talks As the death toll from the Coronavirus increases, the EU Commission Is trying to send the message about the worrisome situation, but also to confirm that the EU is ready to confront the epidemic.View.. Credit: euronews (in English) Duration: 02:20Published on February 11, 2020

European Commission update on coronavirus The European Commission continues to work on all fronts to tackle the Coronavirus outbreak. The EU also announced on 31 January 2020 that it is providing €10 million from its research and innovation.. Credit: PA - Press Association STUDIO Duration: 01:02Published on February 10, 2020

EU Commission presents new enlargement strategy amid divisions over Albania and North Macedonia EU Commission presents new enlargement strategy amid divisions over Albania and North Macedonia Credit: Euronews English Duration: 00:27Published on February 5, 2020

You Might Like

EU Commission apologises to Italy over coronavirus response, deaths push higher The head of the European Commission apologised to Italy on Thursday for a lack of solidarity from Europe in tackling its coronavirus crisis, but promised greater help in dealing with the economic.. Reuters - Published 2 days ago
Kill the virus, not democracy - EU tells Hungary The European Commission told Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Thursday that emergency powers he has assumed to combat the coronavirus outbreak risk upending democracy and must be subject to.. Reuters - Published 2 days ago
European Commission to mobilise €100bn in loans to help companies retain staff The European Commission has said it will mobilise up to €100 billion in loans for member states to help companies hold on to staff during the coronavirus pandemic. The loans will be based on.. WorldNews - Published 2 days ago

EU announces work scheme, aid for farmers, fishermen amid coronavirus pandemic The European Commission proposed on Thursday a package of measures to soften the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the EU economy, including a short-time work scheme and easier access to funds for.. Reuters - Published 2 days ago
EU executive chief concerned Hungary emergency measures go too far European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed concern on Thursday that coronavirus restriction measures taken by Hungary went too far and insisted they should be limited in time and.. Reuters - Published 2 days ago
No proof drug touted by Trump is effective against coronavirus: EU The European Commission said on Tuesday there was no evidence that a drug touted by U.S. President Donald Trump as a potential miracle cure against COVID-19 was effective against the disease caused by.. Reuters - Published 4 days ago

EU urges countries to open borders to seasonal farm workers EU countries should allow the hundreds of thousands of seasonal migrant workers who plant or harvest crops to cross borders despite national measures to contain the coronavirus, the European Commission.. Reuters - Published 5 days ago
EU to propose new post-virus economic boost The European Commission will propose a new stimulus package to help the bloc recover from the economic damage caused by the coronavirus pandemic, Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said Saturday... WorldNews - Published 6 days ago
Coronavirus: EU president criticises member states for closing borders to each other during coronavirus pandemic The president of the European Commission has criticised EU member states for throwing up border controls to each other during the coronavirus pandemic. Ursula von der Leyen warned of... WorldNews - Published 1 week ago
EU close to deal on face masks against coronavirus, after month of searching The European Commission said on Tuesday it is close to securing deals with suppliers of face masks, goggles, overalls and other gear to help meet an EU shortage of equipment essential to protect.. Reuters - Published 2 weeks ago

Faced with shortages, EU plans stockpiling medical gear The European Commission decided on Thursday to set up a stockpile of face masks, intensive care equipment and other essential medical gear to tackle shortages in Europe in the face of booming demand.. Reuters - Published 2 weeks ago
80,000 EU citizens stranded abroad from coronavirus travel shutdown European Commission advises stuck passengers to make contact with their national consulate Independent - Published 2 weeks ago
Flurry of coronavirus disinformation spread by Russian sources - EU Commission The European Union has seen a flurry of disinformation about the coronavirus outbreak spread by Russian sources over the last few weeks, a European Commission spokesman said on Tuesday. Reuters - Published 3 weeks ago	EU offers an Ode to Spring to soothe coronavirus nerves The European Commission closed its daily briefing in Brussels on Tuesday with a poem, to bring some cheer amid the coronavirus gloom. Reuters - Published 3 weeks ago
EU-China summit postponed by coronavirus, EU Commission says A summit between China and the European Union has been postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic, the European Commission said on Tuesday, confirming a Reuters report on March 12. Reuters - Published 3 weeks ago	Von der Leyen proposes travel restrictions to EU BRUSSELS, March 16 (Xinhua) -- European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Monday that she had proposed a temporary restriction on... WorldNews - Published 3 weeks ago
European Union proposes 30-day ban on non-essential entry BRUSSELS — European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wants the European Union to put in place a 30-day ban on people entering the bloc unless their travel is essential,... WorldNews - Published 3 weeks ago	EU executive chief urges open borders as crisis increases The European Commission on Monday will present guidelines on border measures to prevent controls designed to stem the spread of coronavirus from blocking the supply of essential goods and medical.. Reuters - Published 3 weeks ago
Germany, under EU pressure, amends decree on exports of protective equipment Germany said on Saturday that, in agreement with the European Commission, it was amending a decree issued earlier this month that required a government agency to approve exports of protective equipment.. Reuters - Published 3 weeks ago	EU to give states spending leeway to tackle virus fallout on economy The European Commission is set to formally announce on Friday measures that would let EU governments spend more freely to prop up economic sectors battered by the coronavirus crisis, officials said. Reuters - Published 3 weeks ago
European Union's March summit to go ahead, staff sent home over coronavirus A summit of European Union leaders will go ahead as planned at the end of March but most European Commission staff will be required to work from home from Monday due to the coronavirus outbreak. Reuters - Published 3 weeks ago	EU March summit to go ahead as bloc sends staff home A summit of European Union leaders will go ahead as planned at the end of March, but most European Commission staff will be required to work from home from Monday due to the coronavirus outbreak. Reuters - Published 3 weeks ago
European Commission tells staff to work from home due to coronavirus The European Commission has decided to require most of its staff to work from home from Monday March 16 due to the coronavirus, the president of the EU executive told employees in a video recording on.. Reuters - Published 3 weeks ago	EU disapproves of US travel ban, taken unilaterally and without consultation The European Union disapproves of the U.S. decision to impose a unilateral travel ban on European countries, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Charles.. Reuters - Published 3 weeks ago
In migrant crisis, Greece caught between EU job descriptions When the current European Commission took office in December, its president, Ursula von der Leyen, created the role of a commissioner for 'Promoting our European Way of Life' and handed the job to a.. Reuters - Published 3 weeks ago	EU proposes dropping airline slot rule in response to coronavirus The European Commission has proposed temporarily dropping the rule that airlines operate 80% of scheduled services to retain landing slots as the coronavirus outbreak pummels the global aviation.. Reuters - Published on March 10, 2020
EU unveils green Africa policy, seeks new start after migrant crisis The European Commission on Monday proposed a closer partnership with Africa to fight climate change and create jobs, but aid groups warned any new EU money would likely end up going toward stemming.. Reuters - Published on March 9, 2020	EU executive tells Turkey to take migrants back from Greek border European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said ahead of talks with President Tayyip Erdogan that Turkey must move refugees and migrants away from the Greek border. Reuters - Published on March 9, 2020
EU tells Italy its coronavirus spending will not hurt compliance with budget rules The European Commission told Italy on Saturday that its planned extra spending to respond to the country's coronavirus outbreak will not be counted in considering its compliance with European Union.. Reuters - Published on March 7, 2020	EU plans state aid rule waivers, other measures to help cope with virus The European Commission is considering various steps to help member states with the economic impact of the coronavirus outbreak, including targeted waivers on state aid rules, an official of the EU.. Reuters - Published on March 6, 2020
EU Commission head says Europe stands by Greece amidst refugee crisis European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Tuesday voiced support for Greece's efforts to safeguard its borders amidst a build-up of thousands of migrants after Turkey opened its borders to.. Reuters - Published on March 3, 2020	UK and EU split on major issues as Brexit trade talks begin Boris Johnson's chief Europe negotiator David Frost has met his counterpart from the European Union Michel Barnier as talks began to strike a post-Brexit trade deal. Opening positions set out by the.. WorldNews - Published on March 3, 2020
EU states call for speedy 2030 climate plan ahead of U.N. climate summit: letter Twelve EU states are calling for the European Commission to speed the process of setting a new 2030 climate target to serve as an ambitious example at the next global climate summit, according to a.. Reuters - Published on March 3, 2020	EU says expects Turkey to uphold commitments on migrant flows Turkey has not officially announced a change to its policy on refugees in its country, the European Commission said on Friday, adding that it expected Ankara to uphold commitments it made on.. Reuters - Published on February 28, 2020
EU's Varhelyi: accession talks with two Balkan states could open in weeks The European Union could open accession talks with Albania and North Macedonia within weeks as both countries have made good progress in their preparations, the European Commission's enlargement chief,.. Reuters - Published on February 27, 2020	EU says equivalence for financial services not part of trade talks with UK Granting British financial firms access to the EU market is not part of the talks starting next week, the bloc's executive European Commission said. Reuters - Published on February 27, 2020
No EU country plans border checks now over coronavirus: executive No European Union country currently has plans to reinstate border controls within the bloc's zone of free travel over the coronavirus outbreak, the executive European Commission said on Thursday. Reuters - Published on February 27, 2020	EU Commission advises staff not to go to Lombardy over virus The European Commission has advised its staff not to travel to the northern Italian region of Lombardy over coronavirus concerns and told officials who went to the most affected areas in northern Italy.. Reuters - Published on February 25, 2020
Europeans, Britain, China, Russia to meet Iran in Vienna on Feb. 26 China, Russia, France, Germany and Britain will meet with Iran in Vienna on Feb. 26 to discuss how to uphold the 2015 nuclear deal with Tehran, the European Commission said in a statement on Tuesday. Reuters - Published on February 24, 2020	EU says not yet planning travel restrictions over virus The European Commission said on Monday the European Union was not yet considering suspending travel within the border-free Schengen area after an outbreak of coronavirus in Italy, but it was preparing.. Reuters - Published on February 24, 2020