Vice-President of the European Commission

A Vice President of the European Commission is a post in the European Commission usually occupied by more than one member of the Commission.

Role and benefits

The post of Vice President is given to a Commissioner in addition to their usual portfolio. There are usually a number of them, selected by the Commission President though they have little extra power but are seen as important in appointments.

A Vice President does however earn more than a normal Commissioner, 241,422 euro as opposed to 217,280 euro. In comparison, the President earns 266,530 euro. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/3920271.stm What does an EU commissioner do?] , BBC News]

First Vice President

The First-Vice-President usually takes on the main role of a Vice-President: taking over from the President in their absence. The current First-Vice-President is Margot Wallström who is also in charge of the Commissions communication strategy, thereby acting as a major public face of the Commission. [ [http://www.bmbrussels.be/box_bmnewcomm.php The new commission] ]

Barroso Commission

Besides First Vice-President Wallström, who is in charge of Institutional Relations & Communication Strategy, there are presently 4 other Vice Presidents in the current Barroso Commission [ [http://ec.europa.eu/commission_barroso/index_en.htm Commissioner's corner] ] . Only one is from the members who joined in 2004, the other three are from 3 of the four largest member states (the UK did not get a Vice-Presidency, but did gain the important Trade portfolio);

Lisbon changes

Under the Treaty of Lisbon, due to be ratified by 2009, one Vice President would also be the new position of High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, appointed in part by the European Council like the President.

Historical Vice Presidents

[ ] Socialist (PES) - [ ] Liberal (ALDE) - [ ] People's (EPP-ED)

External links

* [http://www.ec.europa.eu/ European Commission Website] ec.europa.eu
* [http://ec.europa.eu/commission_barroso/wallstrom/index_en.htm Commissioner Wallström's Website] ec.europa.eu
* [http://ec.europa.eu/commission_barroso/verheugen/index_en.htm Commissioner Verheugen's Website] ec.europa.eu
* [http://ec.europa.eu/commission_barroso/barrot/index_en.htm Commissioner Barrot's Website] ec.europa.eu
* [http://ec.europa.eu/commission_barroso/kallas/index_en.htm Commissioner Kallas's Website] ec.europa.eu

References