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President of the European Council

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Article  15 of the Treaty on European Union (TEU) establishes the position of president of the European Council. The President is elected by the European Council by a qualified majority for a term of 2½  years, renewable once. He/she cannot simultaneously hold any national office.

The main functions of the President are:

  • to independently and impartially chair and drive the European Council;
  • to prepare the Council’s work and ensure its continuity in cooperation with the President of the Commission and on the basis of the work of the General Affairs Council;
  • to seek cohesion and consensus among member countries;
  • to ensure the EU’s representation on issues concerning the common foreign and security policy without prejudice to the powers of the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
  • to report to the Parliament about the work of the European Council.

On 1  December 2014, Donald Tusk succeeded Herman Van Rompuy as President of the European Council.

Source:  EUR Lex Glossary

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