Abstract
After years of ongoing debate over the need or not of a European presidency, on November 19th, the European Union Heads of States and Governments elected unanimously the first stable and permanent President of the European Council under the Treaty of Lisbon, entering into force two weeks later. On the website of the European Council, an animation video is available to everyone in order to make the functions of the President clear publicly. This animation states that the President of the Council convenes the European Council, he is elected for a term of two and a half years, renewable once. He chairs and drives forward the work of the European Council, he facilitates cohesion and consensus within the European Council, without taking part in the votes, presents a report to the European parliament after each meeting of the European Council and he ensures the external representation of the Union together with the President of the Commission and the High Representative.
