This article has been translated from English to Gen Z Slang.

The European Commission (aka “EC”) is like the EU’s main squad doing all the executive work, totally chill and independent vibes. ✨

They're the real MVPs in creating new European legislation and basically, they’re the ones who make sure the European Parliament and the Council of the EU are vibing with their decisions.

  • Meet the European Parliament – it’s the EU’s legit law-making squad. They’re totes elected by EU peeps every 5 years. 🗳️
  • In the Council of the EU, it’s like the biggest tea party 💅 with ministers from each EU country – they chat, tweak, adopt laws, and align vibes. These ministers can legit like, make their countries go along with whatever’s decided in the sesh.
  • Together with the European Parliament, the Council is basically the main squad making decisions for the EU.

What's the EC’s deal?

They’re all about making sure the EU stays in its glow-up phase by proposing and enforcing laws and working magic with policies and the EU budget. 💼

Getting new law vibes going

Their gig is to roll out laws for member states and make ‘em stick. 💪

Chillin' in Brussels, they’re the real ones drafting legit laws.

The EC fam has over 32,000 in their squad and this year’s vibes cost €3.6bn.

Once they get the thumbs up from the European Parliament and a council of 28 ministers from the EU fam, their ideas can officially be the law. 🔥

And yes, they serve looks on laws across all kinds of fields.😎

Slaying EU policies & spreading EU funds

  • Sets EU's spendin' vibes along with the Council and Parliament 💸
  • Preps up the annual budget for the Parliament and Council nod 📊
  • Keeps an eye on the cash flow, with the Court of Auditors peeping on them 👀

Laying down the law

Together with the Court of Justice, these peeps make sure EU rules stick across all member lands. 💼

Reppin’ the EU worldwide

The EC talks for all EU fam in big-deal situations, especially in trade policy and humanitarian aid. 🌍✌️

And yup, they’re out there making those international treaties for the EU agenda.

How's the EC squad looking?

Leadership goals by a team of 27 Commissioners (one from each EU fam) – with a cool Commission President callin’ the shots on who handles what policy gig.

The College of Commissioners squad comprises:

  • The President of the Commission 🎩
  • 8 Vice-Presidents
  • 3 Executive Vibes aka Executive Vice-Presidents
  • The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
  • 18 Commissioners, each slayin’ their own portfolio

The day-in-day-out hustle of Commission biz is sorted by their staff (think lawyers, economists, etc.), split into squads known as Directorates-General (DGs), each owning a specific policy area. 🏢

Crowning the President

Every five years, it's switcheroo time for the 28 commissioners. 🌠

New peeps and a new president of the commission are pitched and then get the vibe check by a freshly-elected European Parliament.

All wannabes need that big thumbs up from the majority in the parliament, which has 751 MEPs hittin' the vote button. 🗳️

National big-wigs in the European Council put the candidate out there, nodding to the Parliament elections' vibe.

The candidate needs the backing of most European Parliament peeps to nab the spot. 💼

Picking the squad

The Presidential candidate chooses potential Vice-Presidents and Commissioners from suggestions by the EU fam. 🤝

The dream team nominee list has to get the nod from national bosses in the European Council.

Each squad wannabe hits up the European Parliament to spill their tea and field questions. Parliament then votes if they vibe with the whole squad.

In the end, they get blessed with the role by the European Council, if the vibes are right. 💯

The current Commission’s hustle runs until 31 October 2024. 📅

How does the Commission roll?

Boss level planning

The Pres sets the policy vibes for the Commission, which lets the Commissioners come together to brainstorm strategic missions and drop an annual work vibe. 🚀

Team decision makin’

They roll with a collective decision-making flow. All Commissions are squad equals in calling the shots and are just as responsible for the outcomes. No solo power moves, unless the situation demands. ✍️

Vice-Presidents are there to back up the Pres, getting work done in their zone, with a few Commissioners backing them up.

Highlight projects are marked out to keep the College working closely and flexibly. 🏃‍♂️

Commissioners back Vice-Presidents in putting forth ideas to the College. Usually, there's a consensus groove, but they might vote too. If that happens, it’s basically a simple majority vibe, where every Commissioner gets one say. 🗳️

The relevant Directorate-General (powered by a Director-General and answering to the vibe of the relevant Commissioner) handles the topic. Usually means drafting up legislative proposals.

Once polished, they get sent back to the Commissioners to adopt at their weekly link-up, going official, then cruising over to the Council and Parliament for the next EU legislative epic. 🌟