The European Commission (formally the Commission of the European
Communities) is the executive branch of the European Union. It
operates in the method of cabinet government, with 27
"Commissioners," one for each country of the EU, led by a
Commission President (currently José Manuel Barroso). The
present Commission, known after its President as the "Barroso
Commission" took office in late 2004 and is serving a five-year
term. The body is responsible for proposing legislation,
implementing decisions, upholding the Union's treaties and the
general day-to-day running of the Union. The term "Commission"
can mean either the college of Commissioners, or the larger
institution; including the administrative body of about 25,000
European civil servants, who are divided into departments called
Directorates-General. It is primarily based in the Berlaymont
building of Brussels and its internal working languages are
English, French and German. The European Commission and the
European Parliament, which compose the leadersh