1. The Institutions of the EU Flashcards
How has the institutional system evolved?
The institutional system has evolved over time, as a result of successive Treaty amendments and as a consequence of changes in the political balance of power between the institutions.
What is the key institutional triangle in the law making procedure?
Exists of the European Parliament, the Council of Ministers and the European Commission.
The three institutions are all a part of the adoption of legal acts regarding the competences of the EU.
What is the role of the European Council?
Their role is to stimulate the European construction process and provide a political direction.
It has legal capacity in some cases (when expressly provided by the Treaties).
It frequently considers the state of the EU and the European economy as a whole, taking initiatives.
Their decisions are solely political initiatives, but they are converted into legal acts.
What is the composition of the European Council and when do they meet?
It is composed by the heads of state or government of the MS, the President of the European Commission and the President of the European Council.
The European Council meets at least twice during the semester of each EU Presidency, therefore at least four times per year. The meetings are normally held in Brussels.
How does the presidency of the European Council work?
Since the Lisbon Treaty the presidency of the European Council has been an elect position, for two and a half years, renewable for the same period.
The maximum time to be president is therefore five years.
This elected presidency reinforces the EU identity and political representation.
The presidency is incompatible with other political positions.
What is the role of the Council of Ministers?
Together with the European Parliament, the Council approves the EU’s annual budget and most of the legal acts.
The Council concludes international agreements on the EU’s areas of competence.
The Council defines and implements the Common Foreign Security Policy (CFSP) in the light of the guidelines laid down by the European Council.
How is the Council of Ministers composed and when do they meet?
Composed of one representative from each Member State at ministerial level.
Council meetings are arranged by subject-matter with different compositions, made up of different councils within the Council.
How does the presidency of the Council of Ministers work?
The presidency is to be held by each MS in terms of 6 months each, this is an instrument of political balance.
The position of great relevance since it is an opportunity to promote new initiatives.
How is the decision making in the Council of Ministers done?
Unanimity: For decisions on some politically sensitive issues.
Simple majority: For internal functioning issues.
Qualified majority: For most legal acts. When acting on the Commission’s proposal 55% of the MS representing at least 65% of the EU population. When not acting on the Commission’s previous decision 72% of the MS representing at least 65% of the EU population.
What is the role of the European Commission?
The EC is a supranational institution that represents and supports the general interest in the EU. Their main role is to manage and to implement the European actions and policies.
To whom is the European Commission accountable?
They are accountable to the European Parliament, who monitors the EC.
The EP is not sovereign, they represent the MS, and therefore the EC is in one way accountable to the MS.
What are the powers of the European Commission?
Legislative powers: Most legal acts to be approved by the Council and by the EP, require the previous legislative proposal from the Commission. It is empowered by the Treaties to adopt legal acts in certain limited areas with no involvement of any other institution.
Executive powers: The Commission makes the EU budget proposal and implements the budget. The Commission represents the EU at a number of important international organizations and has important responsibilities for the negotiation and management of many international agreements.
What is the composition of the European Commission?
There are 27 members, one national from each Member State.
The Commission has a five-year mandate and it is renewed after every election to the European Parliament.
All the Members of the Commission are then subject to a vote of approval by the European Parliament.
Following this approval, the European Council appoints the European Commission officially by qualified majority.
Once appointed, the European Commission members do not represent their own States.
How does the presidency of the European Commission work?
The European Council proposed the current president.
The second member to be nominated by the European Council is the EU High Representative, this position is at the same time one of the vice-presidents of the European Commission.
What is the legislative power of the European Parliament?
Their position in the law-making process has become considerably stronger over time.
There are certain areas where the EP’s consent is required for the Council or the European Council’s adopting of legal acts.
