Presidential Authority and Presidentialism in the European Commission: Von Der Leyen I and Von Der Leyen II in Historical Perspective

Since the downfall of the Santer Commission, leadership of the institution has been presidentialised as first the formal powers associated with the office, and then its organisation, enhanced the authority of the Presidency over the College, with a far-reaching impact, not only on the internal operation of the Commission, but also on inter-institutional relations. The form taken by presidentialism, however, has changed and evolved significantly. This paper examines the model that emerged with the first von der Leyen Presidency. Drawing on data collected in three-waves as well as original research conducted for the present purpose, it compares this model, with the Prodi, Barroso, and Juncker presidencies. It also considers, based on the appointment and selection of the College that took office in 2024 and early evidence of the new Commission’s operation, the extent to which the second von der Leyen Presidency is set to continue or modify the model that developed in her first mandate