European Parliament President – Roberta Metsola
Term: July 2024 - January 2027
Elected by: Members of the European Parliament
Role:
- ensures parliamentary procedures are properly followed
- oversees Parliament's various activities and committees
- represents Parliament in all legal matters and in its international relations
- gives final assent to the EU budget
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European Council President – António Costa
Term: December 2024 - May 2026
Appointed by: national leaders (heads of state or government of EU countries)
Role:
- leads the European Council's work in setting the EU's general political direction and priorities – in cooperation with the Commission
- promotes cohesion and consensus within the European Council
- represents the EU externally on foreign and security issues
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European Commission President – Ursula von der Leyen
Term: December 2024 - November 2029
Appointed by: national leaders (heads of state or government of EU countries), with the approval of the European Parliament
Role:
- gives political guidance to the Commission
- calls and chairs meetings of the College of the Commissioners
- leads the Commission's work in implementing EU policies
- takes part in G7 meetings
- contributes to major debates both in the European Parliament and between EU governments in the Council of the European Union
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Presidency of the Council of the EU
The Council of the EU - where national ministers discuss EU legislation - doesn't have a permanent, single-person president. Its work is led by the country holding the Council presidency, which rotates every 6 months. For example, representatives from the presidency country chair its meetings.