Infos from : http://europa.eu/scadplus/constitution/europeancouncil_en.htm#PRESIDENT
THE PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN
COUNCIL
As proposed by the Convention, the Constitutional Treaty establishes a permanent President of the European Council, who will take on the work currently assigned to rotating Presidencies. Article I-22 sets out the tasks assigned to and the arrangements for the election of this new figure in European politics.
He/she will be elected by qualified majority, for a term of two and a half years, renewable once. In the event of an impediment or serious misconduct, the European Council can end his or her mandate according to the same procedure.
He/she will chair the European Council and drive forward its work, and ensure its proper preparation and continuity in cooperation with the President of the Commission, on the basis of the General Affairs Council's work. The President also endeavours to facilitate cohesion and consensus within the European Council and presents a report to the European Parliament after each of its meetings.
The President will also, at his or her level, ensure the external representation of the Union on issues concerning common foreign and security policy, without prejudice to the responsibilities of the Minister for Foreign Affairs.
Finally, the Constitution stipulates that the President of the European Council may not hold a national mandate at the same time. It will therefore be impossible for a sitting Head of Government of a Member State to be President of the European Council, as is the case today. This is because of the burden of work associated with the Presidency of the European Council, particularly in an enlarged Union of 25 Member States. However, this does not prevent the President of the European Council from holding another mandate at the same time within another European institution. This allows for the possibility, in future, of combining the functions of President of the European Council with those of the President of the Commission, if the Member States so wish.
As proposed by the Convention, the Constitutional Treaty establishes a permanent President of the European Council, who will take on the work currently assigned to rotating Presidencies. Article I-22 sets out the tasks assigned to and the arrangements for the election of this new figure in European politics.
He/she will be elected by qualified majority, for a term of two and a half years, renewable once. In the event of an impediment or serious misconduct, the European Council can end his or her mandate according to the same procedure.
He/she will chair the European Council and drive forward its work, and ensure its proper preparation and continuity in cooperation with the President of the Commission, on the basis of the General Affairs Council's work. The President also endeavours to facilitate cohesion and consensus within the European Council and presents a report to the European Parliament after each of its meetings.
The President will also, at his or her level, ensure the external representation of the Union on issues concerning common foreign and security policy, without prejudice to the responsibilities of the Minister for Foreign Affairs.
Finally, the Constitution stipulates that the President of the European Council may not hold a national mandate at the same time. It will therefore be impossible for a sitting Head of Government of a Member State to be President of the European Council, as is the case today. This is because of the burden of work associated with the Presidency of the European Council, particularly in an enlarged Union of 25 Member States. However, this does not prevent the President of the European Council from holding another mandate at the same time within another European institution. This allows for the possibility, in future, of combining the functions of President of the European Council with those of the President of the Commission, if the Member States so wish.