Which entity nominates the President of the European Commission?

The President of the European Commission is nominated by the European Council, which consists of the heads of state or government of the EU member countries. This nomination process is a critical aspect of the EU's institutional framework, as the European Council takes into account the results of the European Parliament elections when selecting a candidate for this pivotal role. The nominee must then be approved by the European Parliament, but the initiation of the nomination procedure rests exclusively with the European Council. This ensures that the President of the European Commission has the backing of the member states and reflects the overall political balance within the EU, enabling more cohesive decision-making within the Commission.

In contrast, while the European Parliament plays a significant role in approving the nominee and can influence the nomination indirectly through its election results, it does not have the authority to choose the nominee itself. The European Commission and the Court of Justice of the European Union do not partake in the nomination process, focusing instead on their specific roles in the EU's governance and judicial functions.