before the treaty of lisbon (written in 2007, implemented in 2008) each member state takes a turn at being president of the council for six months. for example, from january 2007 until july 2007, germany held the presidency. the six months before that, finland held the presidency. now the president of the european union chairs the council summits. the president of the council is the organiser and manager and is voted into office for a duration of two and a half years. he or she does not have the power to make decisions about the european union like the president of the united states does for that country.