European Commission

The European Commission is the executive branch of the European Union, based in Brussels. It is composed of a college of Commissioners, one nominated per member state, headed by a President, and is supported by departments known as directorates-general. The Commission holds the EU's right of legislative initiative, proposing regulations and directives that the European Parliament and the Council of the EU then consider and adopt. In economic policy it administers competition rules, state-aid review, and elements of the single market, and it manages parts of the EU budget. It also enforces EU law as "guardian of the treaties," able to open infringement proceedings against member states and refer cases to the Court of Justice. Its powers are bounded by the treaties and by the roles of the co-legislators and member governments.