If you’re looking for a single name to answer the question of who is president of the European Union, I’ve got some news for you: it’s a trick question.
Honestly, it’s one of the most confusing things about European politics. Most countries have one president or one prime minister. The EU? It has three. Well, technically four if you count the rotating one. It sounds like a "too many cooks in the kitchen" situation, but each of these people handles a very different slice of the European pie.
As of right now in early 2026, the power is split between Ursula von der Leyen, António Costa, and Roberta Metsola.
If you just saw a headline about "The President of the EU" meeting a world leader, they were probably talking about von der Leyen. She’s the face of the executive branch. But if you’re trying to understand how Europe actually functions, you’ve got to look at the whole trio.
The Big Three: Who Actually Runs the Show?
Think of the EU leadership like a massive corporation. You have a CEO who runs the day-to-day, a Board Chair who keeps the shareholders (the countries) happy, and a Speaker of the House who represents the employees (the citizens).
1. Ursula von der Leyen (President of the European Commission)
She is basically the CEO. Ursula von der Leyen started her second five-year term in late 2024, which means she’ll be in charge until 2029.
Her job is massive. She manages the "civil service" of the EU. When the EU wants to pass a law about USB-C chargers or AI regulations, her team is the one that actually writes the draft. She’s also the one who represents the EU at G7 summits. If Europe was a country, she’d be the Prime Minister.
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2. António Costa (President of the European Council)
Costa is the "new" guy on the block compared to the others. He took over from Charles Michel on December 1, 2024.
Costa’s role is more like a master diplomat. He doesn't write laws. Instead, he chairs the meetings where the 27 heads of state—the Macrons and Scholzs of the world—sit down to argue. His goal is to get them to agree on a single direction. It’s a lot of "herding cats." Because he was the Prime Minister of Portugal for years, he’s seen as someone who knows how to find a compromise when everyone is yelling.
3. Roberta Metsola (President of the European Parliament)
Metsola represents the only part of the EU that people actually vote for directly. She was re-elected for another two-and-a-half-year term in July 2024.
She’s the youngest person to ever hold the post and has become a bit of a powerhouse. Her job is to preside over the debates in the European Parliament. When the Commission (von der Leyen’s group) proposes a law, Metsola’s Parliament has to vote on it. Without her signature, nothing becomes law.
Wait, What About the "Rotating Presidency"?
Just to make things more complicated, there is a fourth "presidency."
This one isn't a person; it’s a country. Every six months, a different EU member state takes a turn leading the Council of the European Union (not to be confused with the European Council... I know, the naming is a nightmare).
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Right now, in the first half of 2026, Cyprus holds the presidency.
They basically act as the event planners and chairpersons for all the lower-level meetings between national ministers. If the EU is discussing farm subsidies, the Cypriot Agriculture Minister leads the meeting. In July 2026, they’ll pass the baton to Lithuania.
Why Is the "Who Is President of the European Union" Question So Tricky?
Basically, the EU was designed specifically not to have one single person with too much power.
European history is full of "strongman" leaders, so the founders of the EU created a system of checks and balances that would make a US Founding Father’s head spin.
- The Commission (von der Leyen) proposes.
- The Parliament (Metsola) and The Council (the member states) decide.
- The European Council President (Costa) mediates.
It’s slow. It’s often frustrating. But it prevents any one country or person from hijacking the whole continent.
What This Means for You in 2026
If you’re tracking EU policy—maybe because of trade deals like the recent EU-Mercosur agreement or new security strategies—you need to know which "president" to listen to.
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If the news is about a new law or regulation, look for what Ursula von der Leyen is saying. She sets the legislative agenda.
If the news is about internal drama between countries (like a budget dispute or a border crisis), António Costa is the one working behind the scenes.
And if you’re interested in democratic accountability or how your local MEP is voting, Roberta Metsola is the figurehead for that process.
Actionable Insights for Following EU Leadership
Understanding the "Who" is just the start. If you want to actually stay informed without getting lost in the jargon, here is what you should do:
- Check the Calendar: The rotating presidency changes on January 1st and July 1st every year. If you see a shift in EU priorities, it’s often because a new country has taken the wheel.
- Follow the "State of the Union": Every September, von der Leyen gives a massive speech. It’s the best way to see what the Commission plans to do for the next 12 months.
- Watch the "Summits": These happen about four times a year. This is where Costa brings the big national leaders together. The "conclusions" from these meetings are the most important documents in European politics.
Next time someone asks you who is president of the European Union, you can tell them that it depends on which room of the building you’re standing in. It’s a shared burden of leadership that keeps 27 different nations moving in more or less the same direction.