Brussels, 7 May 2025
More than 15 years have passed since the Treaty of Lisbon entered into force, ushering in profound institutional and policy-level changes across the European Union. The rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union has undergone some of the most significant transformations.
The evolving role of the rotating presidency
The establishment of the European Council and the creation of two permanent roles – the President of the European Council and the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (HRVP), along with the strengthening of the European Parliament’s powers through the expanded ordinary legislative procedure – have redefined the role of the rotating presidency.
Each member state must now work more closely with the European Commission, other member states and the ‘trio presidency’ to ensure continuity when setting the agenda for its six-month presidency. These changes have had a direct impact on the presidency’s ability to act as an agenda-setter.
These institutional changes have been amplified by evolutions in institutional practice. Over the past decade, the repeated crises that have affected the European Union, such as the financial and sovereign debt crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic, have further shifted power dynamics among the institutions of the EU.
In a context of growing contestation of the common values on which the European Union is based, the rotating presidency now faces challenges in fostering consensus in an era of growing discord, raising questions about its current function and impact on EU democracy.
To reflect on these dynamics, the Council Library hosted a 75-minute discussion on 28 April titled, ‘The future of the Council presidency: power, influence and change.’
Panel discussion
120 people packed into the press room of the Europa Building for a conversation with policy makers and academic experts – an event which explored pressing questions about the evolving role of the Council presidency in the EU’s institutional architecture.
Moderated by Ramona Coman, professor of political science, Institut d’études européennes (IEE), Université libre de Bruxelles, the panel included:
- Emanuele Rebasti, General Secretariat of the Council
- Michele Chang, College of Europe
- Martin Westlake, College of Europe
- Raquel Ugarte Díez, College of Europe,
- Yann-Sven Rittelmeyer, European Parliament, and
- Thijs Vandenbussche, Elia Group
The session opened with introductory remarks by Preben Aamann, Director-General for Communication and Information at the Council.
The first round of discussion addressed key institutional developments to shed light on the impact of institutional change on the legal and institutional foundations of the presidency.
Emanuele Rebasti focused on how institutional change has affected the legal regime applicable to the Council presidency and how recent crises have tested the robustness of its legal dual regime.
Martin Westlake reflected on the shift from a rotating to a permanent European Council presidency and the unintended consequences of this transition, while emphasising the role of civil servants not just in pushing reforms through, but also in shaping visions for the Council’s future.
Michele Chang discussed the implications of these institutional evolutions for the economic and monetary union, especially in light of the division of labour between the rotating presidency and the permanent chairs of the European Council and the Eurogroup.
The audience raised more than 15 insightful questions, touching on the future of the Council presidency, the effectiveness of the trio system, the rotating presidency’s ability to respond in times of crisis and the influence of Euroscepticism in some member states.
The rich exchange demonstrated how subjects once seen as academic are now central to conversations about the EU’s institutional development.
In a time of significant change and global challenges, the panel reaffirmed that the Council presidency remains a key institution at the heart of European decision-making.
Read all about it
This discussion builds on insights from the volume ‘EU Council Presidencies in Times of Crisis’ (Palgrave, 2024), co-edited by Ramona Coman and Vivien Sierens. All participants contributed to the book.
Written by 22 leading experts, academics and practitioners, the chapters illustrate from different angles the transformations the Council presidency has undergone since the 2010s. The publication addresses questions such as:
- How much real influence does the rotating presidency still have?
- Can the presidency still act as a powerful mediator, honest broker and agenda-setter in EU decision-making?
- How does the presidency fulfil new roles, such as crisis manager?
- How has the presidency’s relationship with the European Council and other institutions, such as the Commission and the European Parliament, evolved over time?
- What is the legal framework governing the rotating presidency?
The perspectives highlight how the presidency has adapted, where it continues to face challenges and what reforms might be needed to ensure its relevance and effectiveness.
The book concludes that the Council presidency plays — or can play — a role that is far more important than was predicted after the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon, and that is often underestimated.
However, as well as this positive assessment, the 15 chapters brought together in this volume also highlight limitations: reforms remain modest, institutional challenges persist and new ones continue to emerge. These insights shed light on the evolving nature of the presidency and offer a starting point for further institutional reflection.
Council Library users may request the book via the online catalogue, Eureka. It is available in print and electronic format.
Disclaimer
This post does not necessarily represent the positions, policies, or opinions of the Council of the European Union or the European Council. The Council Library reading room is open on Monday to Friday from 12.30 to 15.30. The Info Desk operates during office hours from Monday to Friday. It is open to all staff of the Council of the European Union and the European Council, trainees, permanent representations of member states, staff of other EU institutions and bodies, and to researchers and students upon request. Access to some library holdings may be restricted to on-site consultation.
Source – EU Council