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European Commission Trivia Quiz

The European Commission is the most important European Union institution, sometimes called the European Union government. Is it really so powerful as they say it is? Discover its secrets by taking this quiz!

A multiple-choice quiz by Beatka. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
Beatka

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
94,841

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
762

This quiz has 2 formats: you can play it as a or as shown below.
Scroll down to the bottom for the answer key.

1. The former president of the European Commission, Romano Prodi, was an important figure in Italian politics before he went to Brussels. What was the most important function among those he performed? Hint

Prime Minister

President of Parliament

Minister of Finance

Chairman of the Communist Party

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2. As at 2004, how many countries had had presidents of the European Commission? Hint

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3. Which president of the Commission resigned to contest parliamentary elections in his own country? Hint

Jacques Delors

Romano Prodi

Franco Malfatti

Jacques Santere

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4. How is President of the European Commission chosen? Hint

designated by the Court of Justice at the request of the member states' governments

elected by the European Parliament

by a common accord of the member states' governments

chosen by the Council of the European Union voting by an absolute majority

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5. Which president of the Commission resigned in 1999? Hint

Gaston Thorn

Jacques Delors

Jacques Santer

Romano Prodi

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6. Has the Commission ever been voted out of office?

Yes

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7. How often do the Commissioners meet? Hint

once a week

once a month

twice a week

twice a month

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8. What is the acronym for the Commission's European Anti-Fraud Office? Hint

OLAF

TAIEX

UCLAF

ECHO

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9. The Commission shares the right of the legislative initiative in the second pillar of the European Union with the member states.

True

False

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10. How many full-time officials work for the Commission?
Hint

35,000

24,000

10,000

3,000

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

Answer: Prime Minister

Romano Prodi was Italy's prime minister (the full title: President of the Council of Ministers of the Italian Republic) from 1996 till 1998. Before that, he was also the minister for industry and a member of Italian Parliament, as well as the chairman of the Ulivo, centre- left coalition. He was the president of the European Commission from 1999 till 2004.

2. As at 2004, how many countries had had presidents of the European Commission?

Answer: 8

At the time this quiz was written, only eight countries have had president of the Commission: Italy (twice), Luxembourg (twice), Portugal, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Germany and the United Kingdom.

3. Which president of the Commission resigned to contest parliamentary elections in his own country?

Answer: Franco Malfatti

Franco Malfatti was President of the Commission from 1970 till 1972. He resigned to contest parliamentary elections in Italy.

4. How is President of the European Commission chosen?

Answer: by a common accord of the member states' governments

The governments of the member states nominate President; this choice, along with the nomination of the Commission members (whom they designate in agreement with the new President), has to be approved by the European Parliament.

5. Which president of the Commission resigned in 1999?

Answer: Jacques Santer

Santer was Luxembourg's prime minister from 1984 until 1995. In 1995 he became president of the European Commission. He and the rest of the commissioners resigned in 1999 as a result of financial scandals involving the European Commission.

6. Has the Commission ever been voted out of office?

Answer: No

In January 1999 the European Parliament voted to oust the entire Commission amid allegations of corruption and mismanagement. The vote of censure was unsuccessful, but the Commission resigned in March of the same year.

7. How often do the Commissioners meet?

Answer: once a week

The Commissioners meet every week on Wednesday in Brussels. During the European Parliament's plenary sessions their meetings are usually held in Strasbourg.

8. What is the acronym for the Commission's European Anti-Fraud Office?

Answer: OLAF

The European Anti-fraud Office (in French: Office Europ�en de Lutte AntiFraude, hence the short name OLAF) was set up in 1999. It is an independent body within the Commission. OLAF is responsible for combating fraud against the European Union budget. It has replaced the Coordination of Fraud Prevention Unit (UCLAF).

9. The Commission shares the right of the legislative initiative in the second pillar of the European Union with the member states.

Answer: True

The Commission has the sole right to initiate legislation in the first pillar (the matters regarding the Community dimention, covered by the Treaties), but shares the right of the legislative initiative in the second pillar (the common foreign and security policy) with the member states.

10. How many full-time officials work for the Commission?

Answer: 24,000

Around 24,000 officials are employed by the Commission (source: europa.eu.int/institutions/comm/index_en.htm).

Source: Author Beatka

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bloomsby before going online.
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