Week 6: Institutions- Council; European Council

Question 1

What is the composition of the Council of the European Union?

Answer 1

A representative of each member state at ministerial level

Question 2

What is the decision making method in the council?

Answer 2

• Simple majority voting: 14 members in favor
• Unanimity: Foreign and defense policy, Enlargement, and to various sensitive and particularly important matters such as taxation. Abstentions do not count as a negative vote.
• Qualified majority voting: 55 % of the members of the Council comprising at least 65 % of the population of the Union

Question 3

What are the responsibilities and functions of the council?

Answer 3

• Legislative role in line with the European parliament. The council discusses measures and the parliament adopts them
• Coordinating the policies of the EU Member states: policies and actions have to align with the EU’s policies
• EU’s foreign security policy
• Concludes international agreements
• Adopts the EU budget with the European parliament

Question 4

When was the Council of the EU formalized?

Answer 4

In 1974, at the Paris summit

Question 5

How are the meetings in the Council of the EU?

Answer 5

• Formal meetings (EU SUMMITS): 4 a year in Brussels. Lasts MAX 2 days
• Informal meetings: hosted anywhere
• Specialized meetings: if exceptional circumstances require urgent decisions by the leaders, the President may convene special meetings of the European Council in Brussels in addition to the usual four meetings per year.

Question 6

How is the presidency of the Council of the EU?

Answer 6

• The European Council shall elect its President, by a qualified majority
• The presidency of the Council rotates among the EU member states every six months
• shall ensure the preparation and continuity of the work of the European Council in cooperation with the President of the Commission, and based on the work of the General Affairs Council
• shall facilitate cohesion and consensus within the European Council
• shall present a report to the European Parliament after each of the meetings of the European Council

Question 7

Who is the president of the Council of the EU?

Answer 7

Antonio Costa

Question 8

Topics generally on the agenda of the Council of the EU?

Answer 8

1. The evolution of the EU
2. The economic and monetary policies of the EU
3. External relations
4. Enlargements
5. Constitutional and Institutional matters
6. Specific internal policy issues