The Presidency of the Council of the European Union rotates between each member of the European Union and is held by that country for a period of six months. This allows each member-state a chance to contribute to the EU’s development by pursuing priorities as it sees fit.
Currently, the EU’s rotating presidency is held by Austria. Since the Lisbon Treaty entered into force on December 1, 2009, European Council meetings (of the heads of state and governments of the 28 Member States) are now chaired by the President of the European Council, currently Donald Tusk from Poland. At the same time, the Council of Ministers meetings (in ten different areas including the General Affairs, Environment, and Transport councils, among others) are chaired by Austria’s corresponding ministers.
Austria took over the EU presidency from Bulgaria on July 1, 2018 and will be handing it over to Romania on January 1, 2019. Finland will then take the Presidency on July 1, 2019. For a list of the future Council presidents, click HERE.
Check out the Council Presidency website for information on its agenda.