The European Commission

Works for the best interests of the EU as a whole

It is the Commission that proposes new EU legislation and monitors the member states’ compliance with the legislation. In addition, it ensures that there is free competition in the EU, manages the EU's revenue and expenditure and represents the EU in various international negotiations. All these actions have in common the fact that they should promote the EU's common interests. A new Commission is appointed every five years, following elections to the European Parliament.

Commissioners with different areas of responsibility

There are 27 Commissioners in the European Commission; one from each EU member state. The Commissioners represent the EU as a whole, not their individual countries. Each Commissioner is responsible for one or more policy areas, such as the environment or agriculture.

During the 2024–2029 legislative term, the Swedish Commissioner is Jessika Roswall and she is responsible for environment, water resilience and a competitive circular economy. 

The Commission is led by a President, Ursula von der Leyen from Germany. She has been re-elected as President of the Commission for the 2024–2029 legislative term.

Usually has exclusive competence to propose new laws

Within most EU policy areas, the Commission is the only institution that may propose new laws. This includes, for example, the EU single market, which concerns the free movement of goods, services, capital and people, as well as agricultural and environmental policy. The Commissioners’ decisions are usually based on unanimity. When a decision has, for example, been taken on a new draft law, the whole Commission is considered to support it. Within a few areas, the Council of the European Union, an EU institution consisting of ministers from the governments of the member states, may also propose new laws. This includes police and judicial cooperation.

• How an EU law is made
• The EU's policy areas

Monitors the member states

Another of the European Commission's tasks is to monitor the member states’ compliance with EU legislation. If the Commission considers that a country has acted in breach of EU legislation, it can take the matter before the Court of Justice of the European Union. Turning to the Court of Justice is a big step to take. There are therefore opportunities to resolve the breach by means of negotiations before the matter reaches the Court. The Commission can also give EU countries that risk breaching the EU's fundamental principles and rules, an early warning. If, for example, the Commission has opinions on the way in which Sweden has implemented EU legislation, it will turn to the Swedish Government.

The Court of Justice of the European Union

Receives ideas and opinions

The European Commission receives proposals for new legislation from many different actors, for example, from members of the European Parliament or from EU institutions such as the Council of the European Union or the European Council. Interest groups and lobbyists also submit proposals. By means of a citizens' initiative, individuals or groups can urge the Commission to present a legislative proposal on a specific matter. Before the Commission presents a legislative proposal, a public consultation is held, during which member states and stakeholders can submit opinions.

Have your say

Other instances decide whether a proposal becomes a law

The European Commission's task in the legislative process stops at the actual legislative proposal. Two other EU institutions decide whether the Commission's legislative proposals are to become EU rules which the member states must comply with. These decisions are taken by the Council of the European Union, consisting of ministers from the member states’ governments, and the European Parliament, consisting of members elected by the citizens in the member states.

• The Council of the European Union
• The European Parliament

Ensures free competition in the EU

The European Commission is also responsible for implementation of the EU's competition policy. The competition rules are to ensure free competition within the EU, and the Commission has the right to independently examine, for example, state support, cartelisation and mergers in member states. When laws and rules are to be implemented in the field of competition, public agencies in the member states serve as the extended arm of the Commission.

Manages EU revenue and expenditure

Another important task of the Commission is to manage the EU's budget. This means that it is the Commission that manages the EU's revenue and expenditure. This especially involves responsibility for payment of agricultural and regional support to the member states. The EU budget is determined by two other institutions; the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament.

The EU budget

Represents the EU in negotiations

The European Commission represents the EU In international negotiations, for example, with the World Trade Organisation (WTO). Other negotiations on agreements, such as membership negotiations with countries wishing to join the EU, are also dealt with by the Commission.

The EU in the world

The EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Vice President of the European Commission

The European Commission has several Vice Presidents. One of them is also the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas from Estonia. She is often generally known as the EU Foreign Minister. The High Representative has a dual role in the EU as he is a member of both the Commission and the Council of the European Union.

Directorates-General for different policy areas

The European Commission is divided into different departments, known as directorates-general, which are responsible for different policy areas. The directorates-general are staffed by officials and experts. Each Commissioner is responsible for one or more directorates-general.

A new Commission is appointed every five years

The European Commission's term of office is five years and the same person can be appointed a Commissioner for several periods. A new Commission is appointed after each election to the European Parliament. It is the Government in Sweden that proposes Sweden's candidate for Commissioner.

The European Commission has an office in Sweden

The European Commission has representations, local offices, in each member state. In Sweden, the Commission's office is located in Stockholm. The tasks of the office include explaining how EU policies affect everyone living in Sweden, conveying EU information to the Swedish Government and public agencies and reporting on important events in Sweden to the European Commission in Brussels.

The European Commission's Representation in Sweden on the European Commission website

The Government nominates Sweden's candidate for European Commissioner

A new Commission is appointed every five years, after each election to the European Parliament. It is the Government in Sweden that nominates Sweden's candidate for Commissioner.

The Commission's term of office – that is the period for which it is appointed – is five years. The term of office of the current Commission is 2019–2024. Each member state has one Commissioner and the same person can be appointed Commissioner for several periods.

The EU member states propose nominees for Commissioner

When a new European Commission is to be appointed, each member state proposes a nominee for Commissioner from their country. In Sweden, it is the Government that proposes who will become Sweden's European Commissioner.In July 2024, the Government proposed Jessika Roswall (Moderate Party) as Sweden’s new European Commissioner for the period 2024–2029. She took office together with the rest of the European Commission on 1 December 2024.