The ETUC exists to act on behalf of its national and sectoral affiliates at European level, so all its decisions and policies are agreed through a democratic structure of elected representatives. The Congress is the overall policy-making body. Delegates from all the affiliates - according to the size of their membership - meet every four years to debate and decide the future direction of the Confederation. It elects the General Secretary, President, and Executive Committee, who are responsible for carrying through policies between Congresses. The Executive Committee meets four times a year. If necessary, it can reach decisions on a qualified two-thirds majority vote. The Steering Committee is a smaller group with 21 members elected from the Executive Committee. It meets more frequently (eight times a year) to follow up and implement Executive Committee decisions. The Congress also elects members of the Brussels-based Secretariat, which runs the day-to-day activities of the ETUC. In short, the ETUC has a totally democratic structure and acts on the wishes of the combined trade union membership.