EU presidents

EU presidents head the EU institutions. However, the term ‘president’ can be misleading. The role of EU presidents is facilitative like ‘chairman of the board’. By contrast, the role of the US president is an executive role. Table 1.2 describes their roles and the processes for election or appointment.

2024 changes

The European Council (the heads of state of the member states) elected Charles Michel (Belgian Prime Minister) as President from 1 December 2019. Charles Michel’s term of office ended on 31 May 2022, but was renewed for two and a half years until 30 November 2024.

In July 2024, the Council adopted the proposal of Ms Kaja Kallas (previously Prime Minister of Estonia) as High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy to replace Josep Borrell (previously Spanish Foreign Minister) on 1 November 2024 until 31 October 2029.

Taking into account the results of the 2024 European elections, the President of the European Council consulted with the European Parliament on possible candidates for Commission President. Following the consultations, he proposed Ursula von der Leyen to the European Council to continue for a second five-year term. The European Council adopted the proposal (by qualified majority).

The European Parliament then elected Ursula von der Leyen by a simple majority of its members on 18 July 2024. She won 401 votes from the 720 MEPs that voted. As President-elect, she assembled her proposed team of 26 commissioners, one for each member state, based on nominees from national capitals. She also appoints two Executive Vice-Presidents who coordinate work in two areas where several commissioners work together: Cohesion and Reforms, and People, Skills and Preparedness.

The Commissioners-designate appeared before parliamentary committees in their prospective fields of responsibility. Each committee then met to evaluate the candidate’s expertise and performance, which they sent to the President of the Parliament. If a commissioner-designate is rejected, an alternative nominee from the same country must be proposed or the portfolio altered.

On 27 November, the Parliament voted on the full Commission and the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, in a single vote of consent. The new Commission took effect from 1 December 2024.

For further information on appointments and responsibilities, please see:

• President of the European Council’s role
• European Commission and Commissioners
• Who are the MEPs in key functions and how are they elected?

Current presidents, roles and terms

Table 1.2: EU presidents	How selected	Role
European Parliament Roberta Metsola	Proposed by: at least 40 MEPs or political group. Elected by: MEPs (absolute majority) Term: 1 July 2022 – 31 December 2026	Ensures parliamentary procedures are properly followed Oversees Parliament’s various activities and committees Represents Parliament in all legal matters and in its international relations Gives final assent to the EU budget
European Council António Costa	Elected by: Council members (the 27 heads of state and government of EU countries) by qualified majority First term: 1 December 2024 – 31 May 2027. He may be re-elected once for a further 2.5 year term.	Leads the European Council’s work in setting the EU’s general political direction and priorities – in cooperation with the Commission Promotes cohesion and consensus within European Council Represents the EU externally on foreign and security issues
European Commission Ursula von der Leyen	Proposed by: European Council based on political make-up of Parliament Elected by: MEPs (absolute majority) Term: 1 July 2024 – 31 October 2029	Gives political guidance to the Commission Calls and chairs meetings of the college of the Commissioners Leads the Commission’s work in implementing EU policies Takes part in G7 meetings Contributes to major debates both in European Parliament and between EU governments in the Council of the EU
Council of the EU Cyprus	Council presidency rotates every 6 months through a trio of countries. Current term: 1 January 2026 – 30 June 2026 Current trio: Poland, Denmark and Cyprus NB national government holds the position, not an individual.	Council of the EU is where national ministers discuss EU legislation Responsible for driving forward the Council’s work on EU legislation, ensuring the continuity of the EU agenda, orderly legislative processes and cooperation among member states Works with two other countries in a trio which changes every 18 months. For example, representatives from the presidency country chair its meetings. Next group of three countries: 1 July 2026
European Court of Auditors Tony Murphy	Appointed by: 27 Members of the European Court of Auditors (‘first among equals’) Term: 1 October 2025 – 30 September 2028 (re-elected for a second three-year term)	Chairs ECA meetings and ensures ECA decisions are implemented and that the institution is soundly managed Represents ECA in its external relations, in particular with the discharge authority, other EU institutions and supreme audit institutions of Member and beneficiary States
Court of Justice of the EU Koen Lenaerts	CJEU elects its President and a Vice-President from among its members for a renewable term of 3 years. He has been president since 8 October 2015 and, re-elected 4 times, his current term ends 31 October 2027.	See Brexit FactBase section on sovereignty and law for discussion of the CJEU. JURI is the Committee on Legal Affairs.
European Central Bank Christine Lagarde	1 November 2019 for a non-renewable term of 8 years European Council formally decides on appointment following a Council recommendation, after consulting European Parliament and ECB Governing Council.	The key role is to chair the Governing Council of the ECB. President of ECB is also a member of the European Council (the most senior EU institution). ECON is the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs that oversees the ECB.
Updated: 1 March 2026

Sources:
EU presidents – who does what?
European Court of Auditors – governance