How much do you know about the European Commission?

Want to show off to your friends how much you know about the EU’s executive body? To brush up on your EU facts for your next dinner party? We’ve got just the thing for you.

Try out our quiz and put yourself to the test.

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Which treaty established the European Commission?

Maastricht Treaty (1992)

Single European Act (1986)

Treaty of Lisbon (2007)

Treaty of Rome (1957)

Correct! The Treaty of Rome established four institutions – a Commission, a Council of Ministers, a European Parliament and a European Court of Justice.
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Incorrect. The Treaty of Rome established four institutions – a Commission, a Council of Ministers, a European Parliament and a European Court of Justice.
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Which EU country has had the most Commission Presidents?

Germany

Luxembourg

Sweden

Poland

Correct! Well done! Out of the 14 people that have held the Presidency of the Commission, three came from Luxembourg (Gaston Thorn, Jacques Santer, and Jean-Claude Juncker). France, Germany, and Italy have had two Presidents each, while Belgium, The Netherlands, Portugal, the United Kingdom and Spain have had one each.
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Sorry, the correct answer is Luxembourg. Out of the 14 people that have held the Presidency of the Commission, three came from Luxembourg (Gaston Thorn, Jacques Santer, and Jean-Claude Juncker). France, Germany, and Italy have had two Presidents each, while Belgium, The Netherlands, Portugal, the United Kingdom and Spain have had one each.
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What is the length of the European Commissioners' mandate?

6 years

2.5 years

4 years

5 years

Correct! The European Commission is elected for a mandate of 5 years.
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Sorry, that's incorrect. The European Commission is elected for a mandate of 5 years.
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Who was the first President of the European Commission?

Walter Hallstein

Robert Schuman

Jean Monnet

Simone Veil

Correct! Walter Hallstein from Germany was the first President of the European Commission. Jean Monnet was the first President of the High Authority of the European Coal and Steel Community, which merged with the European Commission in 1967. Simone Veil was the first President of the European Parliament, elected directly by the people.
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Incorrect. Walter Hallstein from Germany was the first President of the European Commission. Jean Monnet was the first President of the High Authority of the European Coal and Steel Community, which merged with the European Commission in 1967. Simone Veil was the first President of the European Parliament, elected directly by the people.
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Who was the President of the European Commission during the EU’s enlargement in 2004?

Jacques Santer

Romano Prodi

José Manuel Barroso

Manuel Marín

Correct! The President of the Commission at the time of the largest enlargement of the EU, in terms of number of states and population, was Romano Prodi. This took place on 1 May 2004.
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Incorrect. The President of the Commission at the time of the largest enlargement of the EU, in terms of number of states and population, was Romano Prodi. This took place on 1 May 2004.
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Which of these is the main task of the European Commission?

Proposing new EU laws

Managing EU policies

Implementing the EU budget

All of the above

Correct! The Commission has a wide range of competencies. In addition to managing EU policies and implementing the EU budget, it plays a central role in developing and implementing EU law. It is responsible for proposing new EU laws, that are then discussed, amended and adopted jointly by the European Parliament and Council of the European Union. It then assumes the responsibility for enforcing the laws once they come into force.
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Incorrect. The correct answer is "All of the above". The Commission has a wide range of competencies. In addition to managing EU policies and implementing the EU budget, it plays a central role in developing and implementing EU law. It is responsible for proposing new EU laws, that are then discussed, amended and adopted jointly by the European Parliament and Council of the European Union. It thenassumes the responsibility for enforcing the laws once they come into force.
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On which day does the College of Commissioners usually have its regular weekly meeting in Brussels?

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Correct! The College of Commissioners usually meets on Wednesdays in Brussels. During weeks when the European Parliament holds its plenary session in Strasbourg, which happens once a month, the College meets on Tuesdays on the premises of the European Parliament.
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Incorrect. The College of Commissioners usually meets on Wednesdays in Brussels. During weeks when the European Parliament holds its plenary session in Strasbourg, which happens once a month, the College meets on Tuesdays on the premises of the European Parliament.
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Who was the longest serving President of the European Commission?

Romano Prodi

Jacques Delors

José Manuel Barroso

Jean-Claude Juncker

Correct! Jacques Delors, is to date, the longest serving President of the European Commission. He presided from 6 January 1985 to 5 January 1995.
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Incorrect. Jacques Delors, is to date, the longest serving President of the European Commission. He presided from 6 January 1985 to 5 January 1995.
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How many trainees does the Commission welcome each year as part of its Blue Book traineeship programme?

Around 2,000

Around 4,000

Around 6,000

Around 8,000

Correct! Each year the Commission makes available around 2,000 traineeship positions over two 5-month periods. These last between October and February and between March and July.
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Incorrect. Each year the Commission makes available around 2,000 traineeship positions over two 5-month periods. These last between October and February and between March and July.
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Which building hosts the headquarters of the European Commission?

Berlaymont

Justus Lipsius

Europa

Charlemagne

Correct! The headquarters of the European Commission is in the Berlaymont building in Brussels. The building is named after the “Ladies of Berlaymont”, a group of nuns dedicated to teaching young girls, who were running a boarding school on the site of the current Commission building until 1958, after which they relocated outside of Brussels.
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Incorrect. The headquarters of the European Commission is in the Berlaymont building in Brussels. The building is named after the “Ladies of Berlaymont”, a group of nuns dedicated to teaching young girls, who were running a boarding school on the site of the current Commission building until 1958, after which they relocated outside of Brussels.
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Which institution formally appoints the European Commission?

The European Parliament

The European Council

The Council of the EU

The European Court of Justice

Correct! The President, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and the other members of the Commission are subject, as a body, to a vote of consent by the European Parliament. On the basis of this consent, the Commission is then appointed by the European Council, acting by a qualified majority.
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Incorrect. The President, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and the other members of the Commission are subject, as a body, to a vote of consent by the European Parliament. On the basis of this consent, the Commission is then appointed by the European Council, acting by a qualified majority.
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Who can you reach out to in case you have questions about the European Commission and its policies?

Europe Direct

Hello EU

Ask Europe

EU GPT

Correct! In case of questions about the EU, its institutions and policies, you can reach out to Europe Direct. You can call the 00 800 6 7 8 9 10 11 toll-free number from anywhere in the EU or send a message in any EU official language. You can also reach out or visit the nearest Europe Direct Centre, with offices located in all EU countries.
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Incorrect. In case of questions about the EU, its institutions and policies, you can reach out to Europe Direct. You can call the 00 800 6 7 8 9 10 11 toll-free number from anywhere in the EU or send a message in any EU official language. You can also reach out or visit the nearest Europe Direct Centre, with offices located in all EU countries.
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