The European Commission is the executive branch of the European Union, responsible for proposing and implementing EU laws and policies, managing the EU’s budget, and representing the EU in international trade negotiations and other external affairs.
The Commission comprises 27 Commissioners, one from each EU member state, appointed by the European Council and approved by the European Parliament. The President of the Commission is elected by the European Parliament and approved by the European Council, and serves as the head of the Commission.
The Commission has a wide range of powers and responsibilities, including:
- Proposing new EU laws and policies
- Implementing EU laws and policies
- Enforcing EU laws and policies
- Managing the EU’s budget and allocating funds
- Representing the EU in international negotiations and other external affairs
- Monitoring the implementation of EU policies by member states
- Ensuring that EU policies and laws are compatible with the principles of the EU treaties
The Commission plays a key role in shaping EU policy on privacy and data protection, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the ePrivacy Directive. It works closely with other EU bodies, such as the European Data Protection Board (EDPB), to ensure consistent implementation and enforcement of EU privacy and data protection laws.
