EU Institutions
The Commission is the politically independent institution that represents and upholds the interests of the EU as a whole. It is the driving force within the EU’s institutional system: it proposes legislation, policies and programmes of action and it is responsible for implementing the decisions of Parliament and the Council. The Commission remains politically answerable to Parliament, which has the power to dismiss it by adopting a motion of censure.
A new Commission is appointed every five years, within six months of the elections to the European Parliament. The present Commission’s term of office runs until 31 October 2009. Its actual President is José Manuel Barroso. The Barroso Commission is composed by 27 commissioners from the 27 Member States and took office on 22 November 2004.
Basic facts on the European Commission
The European Commission is divided into 26 directorates-general (DGs) and nine services, which are in turn divided into directorates and directorates into units. In order to ensure the effectiveness and collegiality of Commission action, the DGs are required to work together closely and to coordinate in the preparation and the implementation of the College's decisions.
For further information on DGs and services click here
The Development Directorate General and the EuropeAid Co-operation Office are responsible for defining and implementing EU development policies.