P3: CH5: European Council and The Council

Question 1

How is the European Council composed?

Answer 1

-Heads of state/governments of MS
-Its President (2.5 years)
-President of the Commission
when needed, also the HR

Question 2

How is the European Council important?

Answer 2

At first it was limited to impulse, guidance and CFSP matters.
Now, its mandate covers all of the Union’s competences and is important to solve institutional impasse situations.

Question 3

What’s the main voting procedure in the Council?

Answer 3

By consensus, rarely by QM

Question 4

How is the Council composed?

Answer 4

[Previously called the Council of Ministers]
- Representative ministers of the MS, empowered to commit their government and exercise its government right to vote

Question 5

How is the Council important?

Answer 5

It voices the national governments’ will and along with the EP:
1) contributes to the exercise of legislative &budgetary powers
2) policy making and coordinating functions
3) delegate quasi-legislative functions to the Commission

Question 5

What’s the COREPER?

Answer 5

The Committee of Permanent Representatives assists the Council in 2 different forms:
- COREPER 1: Deputy Perm. Representatives of ms
[Mainly internal market matters]
- COREPER 2: Perm. Representatives of ms
[Most sensitive matter, economy, freedom and justice]

Question 6

Can the COREPER adopt acts?

Answer 6

No, but can produce acts along with the Council to create an act that only needs to be voted

Question 7

How does the Council vote?

Answer 7

Generally by Qualified Majority
[rarely by simple or unanimous vote]

The QM follows a Double Majority Criterion:
- Number of States (55% - minimum of 15 states)
- Population of the Union (65%)

IT FOLLOWS THAT THE BLOCKING MINORITY is 35% + 1 inhabitant (from a minimum of 4 countries)

When the proposal doesn’t come from the Commission or HR, the QM is increased:
- Number of States (72%)
- Population of the Union (65%)

Question 8

The Ioannina Plus Compromise

Answer 8

Until March 31st, 2017:
if a number of States close to, but not reaching the blocking minority manifest the will to oppose the adoption, the debating time is extended ONLY IF:
a) 3/4 first QM of blocking minority
b) 3/4 second QM of blocking minority

From April 1st, 2017:
a) and b) are both changed to 55%

Question 9

The Reverse Qualified Majority

Answer 9

ONLY FOR DELEGATED ACTS, if the measure is favoured by a blocking minority it enters into force automatically