The European Commission is the executive body of the European Union (EU) and is responsible for initiating laws, enforcing the laws of the EU, and managing the EU’s policies. It is made up of 27 commissioners, one from each member state, who are appointed by the European Council and approved by the European Parliament. The Commission operates as a cabinet government, with 27 members of the Commission (known as "Commissioners") headed by a President. The Commission is divided into departments known as Directorates-General (DGs) that can be likened to departments or ministries, each headed by a Director-General who is responsible to a Commissioner. The key responsibilities of the European Commission include:

• Proposing new laws: The Commission is the sole EU institution tabling laws for adoption by the Parliament and the Council that protect the interests of the EU and its citizens on issues that cant be dealt with effectively at the national level.

• Upholding EU law: The Commission can take action against businesses or states that are failing to comply with EU law.

• Managing EU policies and budgets: The Commission manages policies and drafts budgets, sets EU spending priorities together with the Council and Parliament, and draws up annual budgets for approval by the Parliament and Council.

• Representing the EU: The Commission represents the EU in negotiations with other countries or organizations.

The Commission is also responsible for making sure EU laws are implemented and the budget is allocated correctly, whether through oversight of the member states or through one of the EU’s dozens of agencies. The Commission meets once a week to adopt proposals, finalize policy papers, and make decisions.