Now that the EU has its Mr Europe, or permanent president of the European Council, why has it not ditched the rotating presidency system? EuroparlTV investigates the corridors of power to find out who’s really taking the decisions.

How it works: Who decides what in Europe

What's going to happen to   the rotating presidency of the EU?

Herman Van Rompuy will be the first   permanent European Council president.

He will organise the meetings of   the EU's 27 leaders,

but the rotating presidency of   the Council of the EU won't disappear.

It will continue, but there are   a number of changes

that will gradually evolve into a collegiate   presidency of the European Union.

We'd have a permanent president   and a rotating six-monthly presidency.

To sum it up, there will be   no less than five EU presidents.

Herman Van Rompuy   will head the European Council.

Catherine Ashton will be   High Representative for Foreign Affairs.

José Manuel Barroso   heads the European Commission.

Jerzy Buzek   leads the European Parliament.

And a rotating presidency would   lead the different Council configurations

like the environment,   transport and economic affairs.

In 2010 Spain will preside   these Council meetings until June 30,

followed by Belgium   who will take over until end 2010.

The rotating presidency   will analyse policies and laws

affecting several of the EU's policies   like enlargement negotiations.

We can now put a face to Europe,   but who'll decide?

The European Council, made up of the   EU's 27 leaders, will fix policy guidelines.

The EU's everyday running will fall to the   rotating Council presidents and the EP

who will continue   to prepare European laws.

It remains to be seen just how   this new institutional set up will work.