Representation. Who is Sitting in the EU's Chair at the UN? Member States, Presidencies and the Commission

Over the years, the Commission and/or the Presidencies have taken up the EU’s chair in an increasing number of international organisations. This chapter examines the explanatory factors which support and impede the ambition of a common European Union coordination at the United Nations’ General Assembly (UNGA) as well as at the permanent EU representation at the UN. The chapter identifies five factors and discusses their explanatory power. It shows an increasing room for manoeuvre given to the Commission since the Lisbon Treaty, which can be explained by a permanent drift towards increasing actorness as well as exclusive competences given to the Commission. However, strong British interests aim at maintaining the power of the Presidency to control the Commission.