What does holding the presidency of the Council of the EU mean?
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More than you might think!

The presidency of the Council of the EU is a role that is vital to the stability and running of Europe. And the presidency is held by a whole country, rather than by an individual.

The system of rotating presidencies goes back to the very beginning of European integration. The role puts each of the 27 member states at the centre of the continent’s political attention for a six-month term, during which it helps ensure the smooth running of much of the EU.

The world’s biggest single market, the environment, security, energy supply... hardly anything in Europe is unaffected by its work. 

The presidency only comes around once every thirteen-and-a-half years, and it’s a very big deal!

What it’s not
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Let’s get some common misconceptions about the presidency of the Council out of the way:

A blue and yellow illustration of a political leader standing at a speaker podium and a ballot box with a shaking finger indicating no. The text reads; it is not held by one political leader.

it is not held by one political leader

A blue and yellow illustration of an empty speaker podium with a shaking finger indicating no. The text reads; it is not just a symbolic role.

it is not just a symbolic role

A blue and yellow illustration of the president of the European Council leader, this illustration is António Costa the current president. The shaking finger illustration indicating no. The text reads: it is not the same as the president of the European Council - currently António Costa.

it is not the same as the president of the European Council – currently António Costa

So what is it?

The presidency is assigned to a member state.

The presidency – represented by a member of the government from the country holding it – chairs the Council’s meetings.

Ministers from 27 countries meet at the Council to discuss and agree on laws that will apply across the EU. The ministers take part in Council discussions on EU law relating to their own responsibilities.

For instance, if an environmental law is being discussed, environment ministers from all states will get together. So basically, the rotating presidency presides over the Council's work.

The presidency makes sure four things happen within the Council:

  • continuity of the EU’s agenda
  • sound law-making
  • cooperation among member states
  • cooperation/coordination among the other EU-instititions

The role has been likened to someone hosting a dinner, making sure their guests all gather in harmony - able to express differences during the meal but leaving on good terms and with a common purpose.

To guarantee effectiveness, the presidency acts as an 'honest broker', rising above the holder’s own national interest. The presidency plays an essential part, along with the other institutions, since only by working together can the EU deliver.

An illustration of the table where ministers meet to discuss EU politics and the 27 EU flags surrounding the table, representing the rotating presidencies. They are divided into groups of trios with different colours to denote the trios and the years which indicate the year the presidencies were held.

More questions about the presidency
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A blue illustration of a hand choosing a button to press, to denote how the presidency is chosen.

How is the Council presidency chosen?

All EU countries get a turn at holding the presidency, on a rotating basis, meaning that with 27 members, each country gets a turn every thirteen-and-a-half years.

A blue illustration of a calendar with the number 6 and a sand timer countdown to indicate the temporary nature of each presidency.

What does each country bring to the presidency?

Having each country hold the presidency from time to time increases ownership and trust between the countries; each country knows that it will chair the Council sooner or later. The presidency is a true reflection of Europe's motto 'United in diversity', since the member states bring in different aspects of policy or different expertise, which between them all will benefit the entire EU.

A blue illustration of a target and an arrow hitting the bulls eye with a calendar with the number 6 to indicate the objectives achieved by each presidency in 6 mths.

What can be achieved in six months?

Six months do pass quickly, so countries use their time chairing meetings and shaping the agenda of the EU Council, but mostly working together in all areas, even if their national positions are far apart. Working in trios - sequences of three consecutive presidencies over 18 months - helps put countries' ambitions for the presidency in a wider context and facilitates longer-term planning.

The role of the presidency

The presidency chairs most of the Council’s meetings, committees and working parties. One notable exception includes a foreign affairs Council meeting, which is chaired by the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, who is elected for five years.

The presidency plans and chairs meetings of:

A blue illustration of the lantern (Council building split into three levels) ministers (10 configurations) + Preparatory bodies (150 working groups of civil servants).

The Council presidency also organises formal and informal meetings, held in Brussels, Luxembourg and the host country.

This gives extra visibility to issues of importance and can play an important role in connecting with citizens and their issues.

The presidency represents the Council in its dealings with other EU institutions. It negotiates legislative texts with the European Parliament and deals with the European Commission.

Working closely together helps the institutions find their way to agreement on laws through informal discussions and negotiations.

Indeed, the presidency translates EU priorities into concrete and formal decisions guided by the European Council.

The European Council (EU leaders) meet regularly to set the EU's general political direction and priorities.

A blue illustration of the lantern (European Council) the text reads 27 EU leaders sets political direction and beside it a blue illustration of the lantern (Council building) the text reads Council of the EU 27 ministers, with an arrow pointing down, the text reads; Rotating presidency represents the Council in its dealings with other EU institutions. Illustration of arrows pointing down towards a blue illustration of the European Commission building and the European Parliament building, the text reads; European Commission and European Parliament.

The presidency also works with the president of the European Council (which, remember, is different from the Council of the EU) and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

What are the keys to a successful presidency?

Countries don't do it alone

Since the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty in 2009, holders of the EU presidency haven’t had to shoulder the workload involved entirely on their own.

This is because the Treaty of Lisbon established what’s known as the 'trio': three presidencies working together on a common 18-month agenda. Besides that, the previous and next holder of the presidency help out the current holder, sharing their expertise and preparing their stints at the EU's helm together.

This means planning can happen on a longer-term basis, to the benefit of Europe.

The presidency is supported by the secretariat, which is literally at its side throughout the term: its representatives sit to the left of the presidency in all meetings. The secretariat serves as the institutional memory or glue; it is always there to help organise meetings, advise on negotiations and provide legal opinions on issues under discussion. It is always impartial, and its advice is based on its expertise accumulated over many years.

Whose turn is it next?

There’s a fixed schedule for when each country holds the presidency.

When the Treaties of Rome created the EU’s predecessor in 1958, there were only six member states. This meant countries took a turn at the six-month-long presidency every three years.

The EU’s membership now stands at 27, ranging in population from Germany (more than 80 million) to Malta (at just over half a million).

But the principle of every state having its turn at holding the presidency remains. It can be seen as a privileged period of service rendered by each country to the Council.

Adding flavour

Each presidency is an investment in the future, since it is a unique moment for every country (people, administration, government, etc...) to truly think European. The presidency could be compared to an ERASMUS for EU countries, an opportunity to become truly European, by marrying national interests with the interests of Europe.

In addition, each country brings new dynamism and energy into the EU every six months. It also puts a spotlight on an issue in which it has special expertise or a particular interest - this ensures that over time the EU addresses all the issues most relevant and important to all its countries.

Countries holding the presidency can adopt mottoes putting their own stamp on the role, while complying with the EU’s abiding principles.

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