The European Commission is the politically independent executive arm of the institutions of the European Union. Source: European Commission.

The Commission holds the right of initiative as the main EU body being capable of proposing new legislation. Besides this, the Commission represents the EU in negotiations in international organisations such as the World Trade Organisation and is responsible for managing the budget of the EU. Often called “The guardian of the treaties”, the Commission performs an oversight function, monitoring whether European legislation is properly implemented in the member states. Source and more information: European Commission.

Political leadership of the European Commission is provided by a team of 27 Commissioners (one from each EU country) – including the Commission President, who decides who is responsible for which policy area. Source and more information: European Commission.

Ursula von der Leyen is a german politician, born in Belgium. After having been President of the European Commission from 2019 to 2024, she got reelected last year for another mandate. A candidate for Commission President is put forward by national leaders in the European Council, taking account of the results of the European Parliament elections.

Charles Michel = former president of the European Council (2019-2024)

Roberta Metsola = current president of the European Parliament (since 2022)

António Costa = current president of the European Council (since 2024)

Source and more information: European Commission.

Glenn Micallef is the Commissioner in charge of Sport, with only 35 years of age the youngest out of the 27 Comissioners. When picking the college of Commissioners, the Pressident issues a mission letter to the selected commissioners, detailing their tasks and responsibilities. More info about Commissioner Micallef and his tasks: European Commission.

The full working title for Micallef is Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport which makes him responsible for both the field of youth as well as sport. More info about Commissioner Micallef and his tasks: European Commission.

The day-to-day running of the European Commission is performed by its staff and organised into departments known as Directorates-General (DGs). A Directorate-General (DG) of the European Commission is a department responsible for specific policy areas, similar to a ministry in a national government. They develop, implement and manage EU policy, law, and funding programmes.

Source and more details about each DG: European Commission.

The Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture (DG EAC) develops policies that contribute to a knowledge-based, inclusive Europe with a competitive economy.

It fosters equity, excellence and agility in education and training systems, promotes culture as a catalyst for European values, stimulates competitive research and innovation, empowers young people to become active citizens in society, and develops the European dimension in sport.

The other DGs feature in this question include:

DG INTPA = International Partnerships

DG COM = Communication

DG EMPL = Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion

DG EAC = Education and Culture (now Education, Youth, Sport and Culture)

Source: European Commisison.

Around 32.000 permanent and contract employees work in the EC as part of the European civil service. These include policy officers, researchers, lawyers and translators. Source: European Commission.

Around 4,300 belgians and around 4,500 italians work for the EC. Together, they represent around 27% of EC staff. Source: Statista.

Out of the 32,000 staff members, only 86 come from Luxembourg and 158 from Cyprus. Other than the EU members states, there are around 400 staff members from UK and almost 2,000 from other countries. Source: Statista.