The European Council, taking into account the elections to the European Parliament and after having held the appropriate consultations, acting by a qualified majority, proposes to the European Parliament a candidate for President of the Commission. This candidate shall be elected by the European Parliament by a majority of its component members. If he does not obtain the required majority, the European Council, acting by a qualified majority, proposes within one month a new candidate who shall be elected by the European Parliament following the same procedure.

The President of the European Commission:
(a) lays down guidelines within which the Commission is to work;

(b) decides on the internal organization of the Commission, ensuring that it acts consistently, efficiently and as a collegiate body;

(c) appoints Vice-Presidents, other than the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, from among the members of the Commission.