A Changing EU

The European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) are a centre-right grouping within the European Parliament.

The Greens/European Free Alliance (G/EFA) are the main environmentalist grouping within the European Parliament

The Confederal Group of the European United Left/Nordic Green left (GUE/NGL) are a left-wing grouping within the European Parliament.

It is the top political body within the European Parliament where its president and the chairs of each of the political groupings meet.

The EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs performs functions for the EU equivalent to a foreign minister at the national level.

DGs are departments within the European Commission that develop and implement EU policies across a range of areas, from agriculture to trade.

The European Central Bank (ECB) is the overseeing central bank for the 19 EU member states that use the euro.

QMV is a mechanism used within the European Council and Council of the EU to take decisions without the need for unanimity.

Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) are EU citizens’ direct representatives in the European Parliament.

The College of Commissioners is the body of senior political figures in the European Commission, headed by its president.

The Spitzenkandidat process is an informal arrangement that was used in 2014 to elect the president of the European Commission.

Frans Timmermans is one of three senior commissioners in the European Commission of Ursula von der Leyen. Read this fact to find out more.