Charles Michel

Charles Michel
European Council President

The current President of the European Council is Charles Michel. He started his first term on 1 December 2019. On 24 March 2022, he was re-elected President for a second term of two and a half years.

The role of the President is set out in Article 15 of the Treaty on the European Union (TEU). In particular, the President of the European Council is responsible for:

• chairing European Council meetings and driving forward its work
• ensuring the preparation of European Council meetings and the continuity of their work, in cooperation with the President of the Commission, and on the basis of the work of the General Affairs Council configuration
• helping to facilitate cohesion and consensus within the European Council
• presenting a report to the European Parliament after each European Council meeting

The President of the European Council also ensures the external representation of the EU at the level of heads of state or government:

• on issues related to the EU Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), alongside the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy who helps put into effect the CFSP and ensure its unity, consistency and effectiveness
• at international summits, usually alongside the President of the European Commission

Appointment

The President of the European Council is elected by the European Council by a qualified majority. He is elected for a 2.5 year term, which is renewable once. In accordance with established practice, the rotating presidency is in charge of the coordination of the election process. During the European Council, which discusses the election of the President, it is the Head of State or Government representing the presidency that chairs this part of the meeting. The President may not hold a national office at the same time.