European Council

Question 1

Since when is the European Council an institution?

Answer 1

since the Treaty of Lisbon entered into force.

Question 2

Composition of European Council

Answer 2

Heads of State or Government of the Member States, the President of the European Council
and the President of the Commission.

Question 3

Appointment of President of European Council

Answer 3

European Council elects its President by qualified majority for a term of two and a half years, renewable once.

President of the European Council may not hold a national office.

Question 4

Replacement of President of European Council

Answer 4

European Council can end the President’s term of office should he or she become indisposed, die or be guilty of serious misconduct.

replaced by the representative of the Member State holding the six-monthly Presidency of the Council of the European Union until a successor has been elected.

Question 5

Meeting frequency

Answer 5

at least twice every six months in Brussels (4x per year)

and is convened by its President

Question 6

In general, the Council takes decisions by …

Answer 6

consensus

Question 7

Quorum of European Council

Answer 7

14 Member States of a Union with 27 Members.

Question 8

What is the procedure for bridging clauses?

Answer 8

European Council decides unanimously and must have the approval of the European Parliament depending on the specific case

Question 9

Does the European Council have to inform National Parliaments?

Answer 9

Yes, must inform the national parliaments of its initiative.

national parliament has six months to oppose the initiative

Question 10

Exception from bridging clauses

Answer 10

military implications or concerning the field of defence.

judicial cooperation in family law matters

Question 11

Two types of bridging clauses

Answer 11

switch Council voting from unanimity to QMV i

switch SLP to OLP

Question 12

When and where as the first council meeting?

Answer 12

Paris summit of December 1974, hosted by President Valéry Giscard d’Estaing, created and defined the role of the European Council

Question 13

Which treaty gave the European Council a legal treaty basis for the first time, enshrining its existence and defining its composition

Answer 13

the Single European Act ,which entered into force on 1 July 1987,

Question 14

Which treaty began to clarify the powers of the European Council:?

Answer 14

Maastricht Treaty entered into force on 1 November 1993

Question 15

Which treaty defined the European Council’s powers in relation to the CFSP?

Answer 15

Treaty of Amsterdam signed on 2 October 1997 and enter into force on 1 May 1999

Question 16

Which treaty shifted one European Council meeting per Presidency to Brussels

Answer 16

Nice Treaty of 26 February 2001

Question 17

The … officially gave the European Council the status of an EU institution . This

This means that it is subject to all the provisions applicable to the EU’s institutions .

Answer 17

The Lisbon Treaty