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Institutions of the EU

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The Institutions of the European UnionEuropean Council

15 Heads of State or

government and the

President of the

Commission

Council of the EU

15 ministers

European Court of Justice

15 ministers

European Parliament

626 members

European Commission

20 Commissioners

European Investment BankEuropean Central Bank

Court of Auditors

27members

Committee of The Regions

344 members

Econ. & Social Committee

344 members

European Council

27 Heads of State or

government

Council of the EU

27 ministers


27 judges

European Parliament

785 members

European Commission

27 Commissioners

European Central Bank

II. The Institutions of the European Union

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Major Institutions

The European Council

Supreme political decision-making body of the European Union

It is composed of the Heads of State or Government of theMember States and the President of the European Commission

Defines the general political objectives and directives of the EU.It meets at least twice a year, always at the end of a Presidencyin the country, which holds the six-monthly rotating Presidency

most important decisions of each Presidency are contained in adocument, known as the Conclusions of the Presidency, orjust the Conclusions

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The Institutions of the European Union

The European Council

It is a conference/summit

of heads of state and

government

Does not have apermanent seat

Hosted by the member-

state holding the

presidency of the Union

Presided over by the headof state or government of

the state holding the

presidency of the Union

Provides the general directions

of the Union

Deals with the major political

issues facing the Union

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European Council

Strangely, European Council has no formal role in EU law-making Its political decisions must be translated into action via Treaty

changes or secondary legislation.

Confusingly, the European Council and the Council of the EU areoften both called the Council

The Constitution proposes to make the European Council a part

of the EU institutional structure

Dont confuse with Council of Europe!

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The Council of the EU (nine configurations)

General Affairs and ExternalRelations

Economic and Financial

Affairs (Ecofin) Justice and Home Affairs

Consumer Affairs

Competitiveness (InternalMarket, Industry andResearch)

Transport,Telecommunications andEnergy

Agriculture and Fisheries

Environment

Education, Youth and Culture


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The Council of the European Union

Seat: Brussels, Belgium

Every minister is empowered to commit

his or her government, ministers

signature is the signature of the whole

government Each minister is answerable to his or her

parliament and to citizens, this ensures

the democratic legitimacy

Each member-state has one permanent

representative to the Council. Permanentrepresentatives prepare the topics of

discussion. (COREPER)

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The Council Presidency Presidency rotates among member states

every 6 months

The order in which the Member States will

hold the Presidency has been settledamong them up to 2020.

Finland held its previous EU Presidency duringthe latter half of 1999. Finland will next holdthe Presidency of the EU in spring 2020.

Romania will hold the presidency in 2019.

? Current presidency


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Council of EU

This is EUs main decision-making body Almost every EU legislation must be approved by it

To pass European laws (main policy areas) To approve EU budget

To conclude international agreements involvingthe EU

To coordinate the general economic policies of theMember States in the context of the Economic andMonetary Union (EMU)

e.g. famous 3% deficit rule

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The Council

To develop Common Foreign and Security Policy

(CFSP) To coordinate cooperation between national courts

and police forces in criminal matters - Justice andHome Affairs (JHA)

.....responsibilities related to community domain (1stpillar), but also to 2nd and 3rd pillars of EU


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Types of voting

The weighting of votes is based roughly on population size, butthe weights do not fully compensate the larger member states for

the size of their populations Two main decision-making rules.

On the most important issues, unanimity

e.g. Treaty changes, enlargement, multi-year budget plan,

asylum, immigration, taxation, foreign and security policy

Council decisions are by unanimity

On most issues (about 80% of all Council decisions),

majority voting

qualified majority voting (QMV).

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Qualified majority voting

15 members

Maastricht: need 64 of 87 votes

UK: 10

France: 10

Germany: 10

Italy: 10

Spain: 8

Belgium: 5

Greece: 5

Netherlands: 5

Portugal: 5

Austria: 4

Sweden: 4

Ireland: 3

Finland: 3

Denmark: 3

Luxembourg: 2

Nice treaty 9/2000: Need 62% of population and74% of votes. UK, France and Germany form ablocking coalition

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How many votes per country?

Germany, France, Italy, UK.........................................29

Spain and Poland.........................................................27Netherlands..................................................................13Belgium, Czech Rep, Greece,

Hungary and Portugal.................................................12Austriaand Sweden.....................................................10

Denmark, Ireland, Lithuania, Slovakiaand Finland.....................................................................7Cyprus, Estonia, Latvia, Luxembourg

and Slovenia..................................................................4Malta...............................................................................3

Total ................................................................................321

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Qualified majority after 2007

Germany, France, Italy, United Kingdom 29 Spain, Poland 27

Romania 14

Netherlands 13

Belgium, Czech Republic, Greece,

Hungary, Portugal 12 Austria, Bulgaria, Sweden 10

Denmark, Ireland, Lithuania,

Slovakia, Finland 7

Cyprus, Estonia, Latvia, Luxembourg,Slovenia 4

Malta 3

TOTAL 345

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Types of voting procedures in the EU Counciland European Parliament

unanimity simple majority (majority of thosevoting ) absolute majority ( the majority of themembers of an organization, not just of those

choosing to vote ) qualified majority (> 255 votes out of atotal of 345 votes and the votes in favourrepresent at least 62% of the total

population of the Union)

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Qualified majority

A qualified majority will be reached if the following two

conditions are met:

if a majority of Member States approve (in some cases atwo-thirds majority);

a minimum of 255 votes is cast in favour of the proposal,

out of a total of 345 votes.

In addition, a Member State may ask for confirmation that thevotes in favour represent at least 62% of the total

population of the Union. If this is found not to be the case,

the decision will not be adopted.

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European Commission

(2004-2009)


Romano Prodi (1999-2004)Jacques Santer (1995-1999)Jacques Delors (1985-1995)Gaston Thorn (1981-1985)Roy Jenkins (1977-1981)

Franois-Xavier Ortoli (1973-1977)Sicco Mansholt (1972-1973)

Franco Malfatti (1970-1972)JeanRey (1967-1970)

Walter Hallstein (1958-1967)

Jose Manuel Barroso

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The European Commission- guardians ofthe treaties

European Commission is at the heart ofthe EUs institutional structure

driving force behind deeper and widerEuropean integration.

Has three main roles:

propose legislation to the Council andParliament,

to administer and implement EU policies(administrative arm)

to provide surveillance and enforcement ofEU law

represents EU at some internationalnegotiations

Jose Barroso, President of

European Commission

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European Commission

Before the 2004 enlargement 20 commissioners:

one Commissioner from each member state plus an

extra Commissioner from the big-5 (Germany, UK,France, Italy and Spain in the EU15).

UnderNice Treaty each member in EU 27 has one

Commissioner

Draft Constitution: only 15 Commissioners rotating evenly among all members and non-voting

Commissioners from other nations

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European Commission

Commissioners are chosen by their own national

governments are not national representatives

Commissioners are not national representatives. should not accept or seek instruction from their country.

appointed together, serve for five years

- The present term runs until 31 oct 2009

Each Commissioner in charge of a specific area ofEU policy

Directorate-Generals orDGs (particular policy)

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EC and Romania Dacian Ciolo

Agriculture and Rural Development

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European Commission

1. Initiator of legislation. Proposes legislation to Parliament and theCouncil.

-exclusive right of initiative

Its proposals defend the interests of the Union and its citizens, notspecific countries or industries

-constant touch with the interest groups and advisory bodies

2. EUs executive body. Manages and implements EU policies and thebudget (CAP, competition policy, budget spending/ Court of Auditors)

3. Guardian of the treatis. Enforces European law (with the Court ofJustice)/ infrigement letter, ECJ jugements are binding for MS

4. Represents the EU in external relations (negotiate internationalagreements)


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The European Commission

Seat: Brussels, Belgium , but

offices in Luxembourg,

representations in all EU countries

and delegations in many capital

cities around the world It is the face of the Union to the

World and to the citizens of the

member-states

Commission meets once a week

Decision making decides on basis ofa simple majority, if vote takenalmost all decisions on consensusbasis

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The EuropeanParliament

Plenary Building

of the EP in

Strasbourg

Building of the

EP in Brussels

Administrative

Building of the

EP in

Luxemburg

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The European Parliament

Three seats:Strasbourg, France

Brussels, Belgium Luxembourg

Its members are directly elected by the

citizens of EU member-states since 1979 The Members of the European Parliament

(MEPs) sit in political and not in national

groups

After 2004 it has 732 members form 25

countries, after 2007 it has 785 from 27member states

number per nation varies withpopulation but rises less thanproportionally.

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European Parliament

1. Passing European laws (with Council)/democraticlegitimacy of European law

2. Democratic supervision over EU institutions power to approve or reject commissioners and to censure the

Commission as a whole Commission politically accountable to the parliament (can pass a

motion of censure)

regularly examining reports sent by the Commission

monitors the work of the Council

examining petitions from citizens

3. Authority over the budget (influence EU spending)

has 2 successive readings, come into force after signing it

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The Court of Justice

The defender of the Treaties: Reviews the

constitutionality of European Union legislation

Its task is to safeguard EU law in the application

and interpretation of the Community Treaties (EUmember states and institutions do what the law

requires)

The ECJ has sole authority to decide on theinterpretation of the EU law and if is applied inthe same way in all EU countries (no different

ruling on the same issue)

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settle these disputes, especially disputes betweenMember States, between the EU and Member States,between EU institutions, and between individualsand the EU.

The European Commission can bring a state before ofthe Court for failure to implement EU legislation

The Court can impose monetary sanctions

It functions as an appeals court

ECJ jugements are binding for MS

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Institutions of the European Union

The European Court of Justice

Seat: Luxembourg City, Luxembourg

The Supreme Court of the European

Union (27 judges), assisted by 8

advocates -general

Supremacy of EU law over national law

In 1989: Court of First Instance (CFI) for

giving rulings on certain cases,especially actions brought by private

individuals, companies and some

organisations and cases relating to

competition law

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Court of Auditors Set up in 1975

Located in Luxembourg

check that EU funds are properly collected andspent legally, economically and for the intended

purpose

It has the right to audit any person or organisation

handling EU funds

It has one member for each EU country (27)

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European Economic and Social Committee

Advisory bodies

- Represents employers, trade unions, farmers,

consumers and other interest groups- Usually three groups

- It is a bridge between the Union and its citizens

- It must be consulted before decisions on economic and

social policy- It has 344 members (roughly- size of population) usually

nominated by the EU governments for 4 years but

politically independent

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Committee of the RegionsAdvisory body

Representatives of Europes regional and local

authorities

It should be consulted before EU decisions taken

on regional policy, transport, environment,

education and transport It has 344 members appointed by national

governments for 4 years, but political

independence

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Specialized Agencies

In addition to the treaty based institutions that make lawand policy, the EU has established an array of specialized

agencies that are responsible for monitoring and helping to

implement policy in particular fields

EU Agencies and Bodies

European Police Office (EUROPOL)

European Agency for Safety and Health at Work European Environment Agency

European Monitoring Center on Racism and

Xenophobia

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The European Ombudsman It is completely independent and impartialThe Ombudsman usually conducts inquiries on the basis of complaints but can alsolaunch inquiries on his own initiative

The Ombudsman investigates cases of maladministration (poor or failedadministration). Maladministration occurs if an institution fails to act in accordance

with the law, fails to respect the principles of good administration, or violateshuman rights.

Some examples are:-administrative irregularities-unfairness-discrimination-abuse of power

-failure to reply-refusal of information-unnecessary delay

The European Ombudsman is P. Nikiforos Diamandouros, former nationalombudsman of Greece. He was elected by the European Parliament and hasheld office since 1 April 2003. The Parliament elected the first EuropeanOmbudsman in 1995.

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Principles of Decision Making

Key question: Which level of government is responsiblefor each task? Setting foreign policy

Speed limits Trade policy, Competition Policy etc

Typical levels: local

regional

national

EU

Task allocation = competencies in EU jargon

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The Principle of Subsidiarity (I)

Before looking at the theory, what is the practice in

EU?

Task allocation in EU guided by subsidiarity

principle (Maastricht Treaty)

Decisions should be made as close to the people as

possible, EU should not take action unless doing so is more

effective than action taken at national, regional or local

level.

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The Principle of Subsidiarity (II)

Three Pillar structure delimits range of:

Community competencies (tasks allocated to EU)

Shared competencies (areas were task are split between EU and

member states)

National competencies

1st pillar is EU competency

2nd and 3rd are generally national competencies details complex, but basically members pursue cooperation but do

not transfer sovereignty to EU

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The Principle of Subsidiarity (III)

Under the principle of subsidiarity, in areas which

do not fall within its exclusive competences, theUnion shall act only if and insofar as the objectivesof the proposed action cannot be sufficientlyachieved by the Member States, either of central

level or at regional and local level, but can rather,by reason of the scale or effects of the proposedaction, be better achieved atUnion level.

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Question

1. Who was the first President of the Commission of the European EconomicCommunity?

A. Jean Monnet

B. Robert Schuman

C. Alcide de Gasperi

D. Walter Hallstein

Question 2. In the common foreign and security policy, as laid down in the EU Treaty, the

Commission:

A. has no right of initiative

B. has the sole right of initiative

C. shares the right of initiative with the Member States

D. shares the right of initiative with the European Parliament

Question 3. The European Ombudsman has the power to investigate complaints concerning

maladministration by:

A. national public authorities

B. Community institutions and bodies

C. the Permanent Representations of the Member States in Brussels

D. the European Parliament exclusively

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Question 4.

When was the European Parliament first elected by direct universal suffrage:A. June 1979

B. June 1974

C. October1980

D. February 1984

Question 5.

For the Member States, judgments of the European Court of Justice are:

A. binding

B. not bindingC. binding if the Court so decides in the judgment in question

D. binding on some Member States but not on others

Question 6.

What is the main role of the European Commission?

A. To prepare proposals for rules and measures

B. To apply the decisions of the European Council

C. To apply the decisions of the European Parliament

D. To harmonise the legislation of the Member StatesQuestion 7.

Who takes the legal decision on accession to the European Union?

A. the Commission

B. the Council of Ministers

C. the Court of Justice

D. the European Parliament

Main EU developments/Language (B category)

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News

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News

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curs 3 mea oct 2011

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