ABSTRACT
The European Commission is the main executive body of the EC, (see Arts 211-19). There are 20 commissioners nominated by Member States who are required to be ‘completely independent’8 in the performance of their duties, that is, they do not represent their own country’s interests but must act in the general interests of the Community. The larger Member States (Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and the UK) have two members, the other countries provide one Commissioner each. The current Environment Commissioner is Margot Wallstrom from Sweden. The Amsterdam Treaty (Art 214) has introduced a requirement that the appointment of the President of the Commission must be approved by the European Parliament. The Commission is divided into 30 Directorates-General each with its own portfolio. DG XI has specific responsibility for environmental matters.
