The European Union governance – the independence of the European Commission

According to the European Treaties, ‘the members of the Commission shall be chosen on the ground of their general competence and European commitment from persons whose independence is beyond doubt, likewise, the Commission shall be completely independent’29. Nevertheless, the Treaties’ wording is not always followed by ‘the real world’ politics. The institutional inter-dependence, especially among the Commission, the Council and the EP, can be easily noticeable. The Council and the EP may attempt to use their powers to influence the Commission during the appointment or the legislation procedures. From this perspective, being elected by the MSs (the European Council) and approved by the EP, the President of the European Commission makes certain promises to the electors. The scope of these promises influences the President’s future acting. On the other hand, the strong and charismatic leaders may appear much more difficult to be interfered (e.g. the Jacques Delors Commission). Taking into consideration the whole College of Commissioners, the similar situation takes place during their election. Nonetheless, after the beginning of the tenure particular members cannot be dismissed by the MSs. The Commission services, as a more technocratic structure, are less exposed to the external pressure or interests. However, their work is conducted and supervised by the College, so if the Commissioners were involved in any kind of a lobby (such situation should never happen), the services would indirectly be affected by it. Finally, although the subsequent European Treaties have provided the Council and the EP with greater powers (in comparison with the Commission), the EU accountability and impartiality cannot be guaranteed without a politically-neutral institution, whose status is still maintained by the European Commission.