European Council

The European Council brings together the heads of state or government of the EU member states, together with its own President and the President of the European Commission. The High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy also participates in its work. It should not be confused with the Council of the European Union (the legislative body of ministers) or the Council of Europe (a separate, non-EU human rights organisation based in Strasbourg).

Originally an informal summit format launched in 1975, the European Council was formally established as an EU institution by the Treaty of Lisbon, which entered into force on 1 December 2009. Its role is set out in Article 15 of the Treaty on European Union (TEU), which states that it shall "provide the Union with the necessary impetus for its development" and define its general political directions and priorities, but "shall not exercise legislative functions."

Key features:

• Meetings: Convened at least twice every six months in Brussels, with additional special or extraordinary summits as needed.
• Decision-making: Most conclusions are adopted by consensus, though the Treaties specify qualified majority or unanimity for certain decisions (e.g. nominating the Commission President).
• Outputs: Issues "Conclusions" rather than binding legislation; these guide the legislative work of the Council and Commission.
• President: Elected by the European Council itself for a 30-month term, renewable once. Holders have included Herman Van Rompuy (2009–2014), Donald Tusk (2014–2019), Charles Michel (2019–2024), and António Costa (from December 2024).

The body plays a particularly prominent role in foreign policy, enlargement, treaty change, and crisis response — for example coordinating EU positions during the eurozone debt crisis, the 2015 migration crisis, the COVID-19 recovery fund negotiations, and the response to Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine.