Der Europäische Rat – Betrachtungen aus der Praxis

The European Council and its President have, in many ways, a sui generis character. The President is more than a chairperson during international summits but has less power than a Head of State in a presidential system. His task is to steer the work of the European Council, ensure continuity and forge consensus among national leaders. Reconciling national interests for the sake of common European interests has always been of great importance. It is even more so in times of manifold crises for the European Union. The European Council, as the Union’s supreme crisis manager, is where intergovernmental and supranational perspectives must converge. After all, if the European Council fails then the Union fails.