|
How does the European Union work?
The EU is governed by five institutions - Parliament,
Council of Ministers of the European Union, Commission,
Court of Justice, and Court
of Auditors.
Parliament
The European Parliament (EP) has a limited legislative role thanks to
the co-decision procedure introduced by the Maastricht Treaty. The Parliament
acts as the EU?s public forum, debating issues of public importance and
questioning the Commission and the Council. The EP can amend or reject
the EU budget. The Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) are directly
elected by the people and form political rather than national groups.
Council of Ministers
The Council of Ministers of the European Union enacts legislation which
is binding throughout EU territory and directs intergovernmental cooperation.
It is the most important decision-making body in the EU, possessing legislative
and executive powers. The Council is composed of ministers representing
the national governments of the 15 Member States. Different ministers
attend Council meetings depending on the subject-matter being discussed.
The most important is the General Affairs Council (Foreign ministers),
which is responsible for foreign policy as well as the overall coordination
and steering of the Council?s work. The Council takes decisions either
by a simple majority of its members, by qualified majority of weighted
votes, or unanimously, depending on the subject-matter.
The Presidency of the Council rotates among the member states every
six months. Each presidency concludes with the European Council, hosted
by the Head of State or Government of the country holding the Presidency.
The European Council brings together Heads of State and Government and
the President of the European Commission. As the highest political organ
it determines the general policy guidelines and objectives of the European
Union. It defines the principles and general policy of the Common Foreign
and Security Policy and makes important personnel decisions (e.g. the
appointment of the Commission President).
Commission
The European Commission is a supranational institution which is independent
of the national governments. It proposes policies and legislation, is
responsible for administration, ensures that the provisons of the Treaties
and the decisions of the institutions are properly implemented and drafts
proposals for the further development of common policy. The Commissioners,
including the President, are appointed by common agreement among the member
states and approved as a body by the European Parliament.
Court of Justice
The European Court of Justice, sitting in Luxemburg, is the EU?s ?Supreme
Court?. It ensures that the Treaties are interpreted and applied correctly
by the EU institutions and member states. The Court comprises 15 judges,
one from each member state, assisted by nine advocates-general. It is
also assisted by a Court of First Instance, which has jurisdiction to
hear cases in limited areas.
Court of Auditors
The Court of Auditors, based in Luxemburg as well, consists of 15 members
appointed by an unanimous decision of the Council after consulting Parliament.
It has extensive powers to examine the legality of receipts and expenditures
and the sound financial managment of the EU budget.
In addition, the European System of Central Banks and the European Central
Bank (Frankfurt) are responsible for monetary policy and the EURO in the
Economic and Monetary Union, which comprises eleven states at the outset.
 For
additional information about the EU click here
or here.
EU
Summit Focuses on Immigration Policy and Enlargement
Convention
on the Future of Europe Begins Work
Barcelona
EU Meeting Yields Progress and Calls for Reform
|
Printer-Friendly
Page
Email This Article
