You’d think it’d be a simple question. Who's in charge of the European Union? If you ask that about the United States, everyone points to the White House. But the EU? Honestly, it’s a bit of a maze. There isn't just one person sitting on a single throne. Instead, the "head" is actually a split personality of sorts, shared across several different offices that often leave people scratching their heads.
Right now, in early 2026, if you’re looking for the face of the EU on the world stage, you’re looking at Ursula von der Leyen and António Costa.
But wait, it gets weird. They aren't "President of Europe." That title doesn't exist. Von der Leyen is the President of the European Commission, while Costa is the President of the European Council. They both have "President" in their titles, they both live in Brussels, and they both represent the EU at big summits like the G7.
Confused yet? You’re not alone.
The Powerhouse: Ursula von der Leyen
If we’re being real, the closest thing the EU has to a "Prime Minister" is Ursula von der Leyen. She’s been in the driver’s seat since 2019 and just recently kicked off her second term after being re-elected in mid-2024. She leads the European Commission.
The Commission is basically the EU's executive branch. Think of it as the engine room. They are the only ones who can actually propose new laws. If the EU wants to regulate AI, ban single-use plastics, or negotiate a trade deal with another country, it starts on her desk.
Von der Leyen isn't just a figurehead. She manages a massive civil service and a "cabinet" of 26 other Commissioners—one from each member state. She’s often called the most powerful woman in the world, and for good reason. She’s the one dealing with the day-to-day grind of keeping 27 countries moving in more or less the same direction.
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The Dealmaker: António Costa
Then there’s António Costa. He took over as President of the European Council on December 1, 2024, succeeding Charles Michel. If von der Leyen is the "manager" of the EU, Costa is the "chairman of the board."
His job is different. He doesn't write laws. Instead, he’s the one who gathers all the national leaders—the Presidents and Prime Ministers of France, Germany, Italy, and the rest—around a big table in Brussels.
His main goal? Getting them to agree on anything.
Imagine trying to get 27 different bosses to agree on where to go for lunch, except the "lunch" is a multi-billion euro budget or a unified stance on a war. It's a tough gig. Costa represents the interests of the member states' governments. He’s the one who tries to find a "common ground" when everyone is pulling in different directions.
Wait, there's a third one?
Yep. To make things even more complicated, there's Roberta Metsola. She’s the President of the European Parliament.
She doesn't run the EU's executive branch or lead the national governments. She leads the MEPs (Members of the European Parliament) who are directly elected by you and me. Her role is more like a "Speaker of the House." She makes sure the democratic side of the EU is actually functioning, and she has to sign off on the budget before a single cent gets spent.
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Who is the head of the European Union when the phone rings?
There’s a famous (and possibly apocryphal) quote attributed to Henry Kissinger: "Who do I call if I want to call Europe?" The answer today is still "it depends."
If a world leader wants to discuss a trade treaty, they call von der Leyen. If they want to talk about high-level political strategy or a major security crisis, they probably call Costa. Usually, they just invite both. If you look at photos from the latest summits in early 2026, like the recent meetings in Jordan with King Abdullah, you'll see them both standing there.
It’s a system of checks and balances that feels intentionally clunky. It was designed that way so no single person could have too much power. Europe has a long, messy history with "strongmen," so the EU was built to be a "strong-system" instead.
The Rotating Presidency (The confusing fourth part)
Just when you think you've got it, someone mentions that "Cyprus is the President of the EU."
This is the Presidency of the Council of the European Union. It’s not a person; it’s a country. Every six months, a different EU country takes a turn "chairing" the meetings of national ministers (like health ministers or finance ministers).
As of January 2026, Cyprus holds this role. They aren't the "boss" of the EU, but they get to set the agenda for those specific meetings for half a year. It’s like being the host of a dinner party—you don't own the house, but you get to decide what’s on the menu and who sits where.
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Why this matters for your daily life
It sounds like a bunch of bureaucratic alphabet soup, but these people decide the rules you live by.
- Digital Rights: The Commission (von der Leyen) is the reason you have those "accept cookies" pop-ups and why Big Tech gets fined billions for privacy breaches.
- The Environment: The political direction set by the Council (Costa) determines how fast your country moves toward green energy.
- Your Wallet: The Parliament (Metsola) fights over the budget that funds everything from student exchange programs to farming subsidies.
What should you do next?
If you want to actually understand how the EU is changing your world this year, don't just look at the faces. Watch the work programs.
Every year, the Commission releases a list of what laws they plan to propose. In 2026, the focus is heavily on Middle East partnerships and the ongoing integration of new members.
You should also keep an eye on the "State of the Union" address given by von der Leyen every September. It’s the one time a year when the "head" of the EU actually lays out a clear roadmap for where the whole ship is heading.
If you're ever in Brussels, you can actually visit the Parlamentarium or the House of European History for free. It’s honestly the best way to see how this weird, multi-headed system actually manages to keep the lights on for 450 million people.