KEY DATES FOR EU LEADERSHIP

26-27 June 2014

The European Council will meet in Brussels on 26-27 June 2014. First order of business will be to reach agreement on the new President of the European Commission. The successful candidate must garner the backing of a qualified majority (55% of the vote in the Council and at the same time represent 65% of the European electorate). Once the agreement is reached the selected candidate will then be officially proposed to the European Parliament for confirmation.

1st July 2014

During the inaugural session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, the 751 members will elect a new president, 14 vice-presidents and 5 parliamentary administrators.

7-10 July 2014

The 20 permanent committees will elect their presidents and vice-presidents

15 July 2014

The European Parliament will vote to confirm the proposed candidate for the presidency of the European Commission. A simple majority of at least 376 votes will be required. The dominant candidate by virtue of representing the EPP, which won the most seats in the May elections is Jean-Claude Juncker, former Prime Minister of Luxembourg (1995-2013) and former President of the EuroGroup.

September-October 2014

The European Commission is composed of the College of Commissioners of the 28 member states, including the President. The European Council appoints the 27 commissioners-designate in agreement with the elected Commission President. Each commissioner, one from each EU member state is assigned responsibility for a specific area by the Commission President. The Commission as a whole is subject to the European Parliament's approval. The European Parliament will hold confirmation hearings and vote on each nominee. Terms of previous commissioners expire on 31 October 2014 and new commissioners officially take office on 1st November 2014, once they are confirmed by Parliament.