[FR] The Seven qualities of a European Commission

The success of the next Commission naturally depends on the strength of its future President and the ambition of its work programme. But, on a daily basis, it also relies on its working methods and, more broadly, on its mindset. This requires a combination of interlinked qualities. A great Commission must be:

Collegial

Since each Member State now designates “its” Commissioner and their number currently stands at 28, collegiality among Commission members may appear more like a utopia passed down from a bygone era. The presence of 28 Commissioners calls for a strong President. But their authority will be all the more respected if they chair a college capable of being, to quote the European motto, “united in diversity.” This does not prevent each Commissioner from having their own field of expertise, but it does require collective discipline, where every member respects the confidentiality of deliberations and publicly supports the proposals and decisions taken.

The appointment of Vice-Presidents overseeing several policy areas, as tested in the outgoing Commission, cleverly avoids the risk of intergovernmentalism among 28 and spreads a sense of collegiality—at least at that level. However, this collegial spirit must not rest solely with senior Commissioners. It must permeate the entire institution, shaping relationships between Commissioners’ cabinets, Directorates-General, and the General Secretariat.

Focused on the European General Interest

The Commission must define what it must constantly pursue: the general interest of the European Union. This is both its mission and its reason for existing—the driver of all its activity. This general interest is European in the sense that it must not remain merely conceptual, abstract, or theoretical, nor appear simply as “Brussels-based,” technocratic, and distant. It must carry a vision and be rooted in a civilization it belongs to. It aligns with the concept of European common goods that the Union seeks to identify, protect, and promote. It must not contradict the fundamental principles upon which the EU is based, as outlined in its Charter.

Defining this general interest requires genuine independence from each Commissioner, as affirmed in the oath they take before the Court of Justice of the EU—an act that could be made even more solemn and publicized. Before being Latvian, Irish, or Portuguese, a Commissioner is first and foremost European throughout their mandate.

This independence must not only exist in the Commission’s relationships with Member States, but also with the European Parliament and the Council of the EU—two institutions from which it must maintain equal distance.

To identify and pursue the European general interest, the Commission must also cultivate trusting relationships with the Member States and, beyond that, with a diverse range of national and local stakeholders who make up European society: media, trade unions, universities, churches, and the nonprofit sector. Consultation, dialogue, and participation are irreplaceable tools, and the role of lobbyists must be clearly defined and regulated.

Geopolitical

In a fast-changing multipolar world, the Commission must adopt a geopolitical perspective. It must frame its actions and assess their implications in this global context, which it should help interpret. Its role as guardian of the treaties must not confine it to a purely legal interpretation of its powers.

This geopolitical lens must not be limited to external relations, development policies, or enlargement, but must extend across all policy areas—particularly competition, trade, agriculture, and innovation.

Forward-Looking

The Commission’s pursuit of the European general interest requires it to look beyond the span of a single mandate or five-year term. It must pay attention to long-term trends and faint signals of change.

The very nature of the Commission’s legislative work necessitates this forward-thinking mindset, given the lengthy cycle from drafting a proposal to its adoption and implementation—especially compared to the much shorter cycles of national politics.

Foresight is not just a sophisticated outlook on the future; it’s also a long-term perspective—an understanding of how policies fit into the broader arc of history.

Multilingual

A Commission cannot be truly European if it is monolingual. The general interest of the EU cannot be conceived or expressed solely in English. Internally, this general interest emerges through diversity among staff and the regular use of the Commission’s three working languages: English, French, and German.

Externally, the Commission must also be multilingual in its communications—in every format, including digital—and in depth.

Exemplary

The Commission is all the more credible and respected when its daily operations reflect the values it recommends for the Union. Whether in gender balance, its fleet of vehicles, lighting systems, or waste recycling practices, it must remain beyond reproach—both in Brussels and in its various representations and delegations.

The leadership of the President and Commissioners partly depends on this example-setting, now more closely scrutinized by media and social networks than ever. Exemplarity also applies to former Commissioners, who must avoid any conflicts of interest with their former institution that could undermine its authority.

European

As a counterpart to the Member States, the Commission must understand Europe in all its complexity, knowing its nations—both “big” and “small,” including regional identities—while appreciating and respecting their history, sociology, and culture. Its officials should reflect Europe’s rich diversity and familiarize themselves with it throughout their careers. This deep knowledge will help the Commission in defining the general interest and improve the accuracy of its initiatives.

At the same time, the Commission is European in that it builds Europe. It helps shape a unified vision rather than merely drawing up alternative scenarios for the future. Its members and staff must be fully committed to the pursuit of European unity, for which the Commission serves as a compass.

Sébastien Maillard