EUROPEAN INSTITUTIONS

THE PARLIAMENT• It is an independent body.

• It represents the interests of the EU citizens.

• It shares the legislative power with the Council.

Members are elected once every five years by voters right across the 27 Member States of the European Union on behalf of its 500 million citizens.

• The Parliament is based in three different cities with numerous buildings.

• A protocol attached to the Treaty of Amsterdam requires that 12 plenary sessions be held in Strasbourg. Extra part sessions as well as committee meetings are held in Brussels. Luxembourg hosts the Secretariat of the European Parliament

The European ParliamentMain Responsibilities

• 1. Passing European laws jointly with the Council in many policy areas.

• 2. Parliament exercises democratic supervision over the other

EU institutions, and in particular the Commission.

• 3. The power of the purse. Parliament shares with the Council authority over the EU budget and can therefore influence EU spending.

• The Parliament’s decision is being taken by Political groups, Court and Court members.

• They work for five years.

EUROPEAN COMMISSION• European commission represent executive power in

EU.

• It is an independent body.

• The Commission operates as a cabinet government, with 27 Commissioners

Chairman and Commission members are appointed through consensus by the governments of member states.

• Their seats are in Brussels and Luxembourg.

• They work for five years.

The European CommissionMain Responsibilities

• 1. To propose legislation to Parliament and the Council.

• 2. To manage and implement EU policies and the budget.

• 3. To enforce European law (jointly with the Court of Justice).

• 4. To represent the European Union on the international stage.

EUROPEAN COUNCIL• EU's main decision-making body.

• It represents the Member States.

• Their seats are in Brussels.

• The council consists of the President, Council members and Political parties.

• European Council have met since 1974. They meet four times in a year.

The Council of the EUMain Responsibilities

• 1.To pass European laws jointly with the European Parliament in many policy areas.

• 2. To coordinate the broad economic policies of the Member States.

• 3. To conclude international agreements between the EU and other countries or international organisations.

• 4. To approve the EU’s budget, jointly with the European Parliament.

• 5. To develop the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP).

• 6. To coordinate cooperation between the national courts and police forces in criminal matters.