| There
are seven principal governing institutions of the European Union (EU).
By agreeing to accept the European Treaties, the member states relinquished
a degree of national sovereignty to the institutions of the EU. The
institutions represent both national interests and shared EU interests.
Each institution plays a part in the decision-making process and fulfills
a legislative, judicial, or executive function.
The
main governing institutions of the European Union include: |
The
European Commission
|
This
governing body is the center of the EU's policy making process.
It proposes policy and legislation, is a unit of administration,
and ensures the proper implementation of Treaty provisions and
institutional decisions. It is the executive body of the
EU. The Commission is composed of twenty Commissioners appointed
by consensus among the member states and approved as a body by
the European Parliament. Commissioners hold no responsibility
towards individual national governments, they act solely in the
interest of the EU as a whole.
|
For
further information on the European Commission:
 www.eurunion.org
The
European Union: A Guide for Americans. Pg. 8
Weidenfeld,
Werner, and Wessels, Wolfgang. Europe: A to Z. CD-ROM
See
the European Commission homepage: www.europa.eu.int/comm
The
Council
Sometimes
referred to as the Council of Ministers, this governing body acts as the
legislative branch of the EU. Its responsibilities include that of
enacting legislation applicable throughout the EU, and directing cooperation
among member governments. The Council consists of ministers representing
the national governments of the 15 member states. These ministers
negotiate EU legislation on behalf of their member state's interest.
Depending on the subject under discussion at the Council meetings, different
ministers attend. Most decisions are made by majority vote, however
some still require unanimity such as foreign policy, taxation, and environmental
issues. The presidency of the Council rotates among the member states
every six months, and at the end of each term, a European Council is held.
Not to be confused with the Council, the European Council is a meeting
of the Heads of State or Government of each of the 15 member states. |
For
further information on The Council:
www.eurunion.org
Fontaine,
Pascal. Europe in 10 Points. Pg. 10
The European Union: A Guide for Americans. Pg. 7
See
the Council homepage: ue.eu.int/en/
The
European Parliament
| As
the largest EU institution, the European Parliament (EP) has 626 members
who represent the major political parties in the EU. The EP voices
the political sympathies of the citizens of the Union. It functions
mainly as a public forum for the EU, where issues of public importance
are introduced and discussed, and questions are directed to the Commission
and the Council. In addition, the Parliament can amend or reject
the EU budget and thus also acts as a limited leglislative body.
The members of the EP are elected to 5-year terms. |
For
further information on the European Parliament:
See
the European Parliament homepage: www.europarl.eu.int
The
European Union: A Guide for Americans. Pg. 7
How
Does the European Union Work? Pg. 10
Fontaine, Pascal. Europe in 10 Points. Pg. 10-12
Weidenfeld,
Werner, and Wessels, Wolfgang. Europe: A to Z. CD-ROM
www.eurunion.org
The
Court of Justice:
| This
institution acts as the EU's "Supreme Court" and plays an executive role
within the Union. It provides interpretation and enforces implementation
of the treaties, by the EU institutions and the member states. There
are 15 judges on the Court, one judge from each member state, and appointed
for six-year renewable terms. Court decisions in the field of European
Union law apply to EU institutions, member states, national courts, companies,
and private citizens, and prevail over decisions made by national courts
(The European Union: A Guide for Americans, pg.
9). |
For
further information on the Court of Justice:
See
the European Court of Justice homepage: www.europa.eu.int/cj
Weidenfeld,
Werner, and Wessels, Wolfgang. Europe: A to Z. CD-ROM
www.eurunion.org
The European Union: A Guide for Americans, pg. 9
Court
of Auditors
| This
court polices the use of the EU budget. It examines the legality
of receipts and expenditures and the sound financial management of the
budget. The findings of the Court are made public in annual reports.
Fifteen members are appointed for six-year terms by agreement between the
Member States after consultation with the European Parliament. |
For
further information on the Court of Auditors:
See
the Court of Auditors homepage: www.eca.eu.int/
The European Union: A Guide for Americans, pg. 9
Fontaine, Pascal. Europe in 10 Points, pg. 13
The
European Central Bank:
| Together
with the European System of Central Banks (ESCB) which comprises the central
banks of all member states, the European Central Bank (ECB) determines
and implements monetary policy in the EU countries that are members of
the single currency, the Euro. The ECB is headed by a president,
a vice-president, and four more members that form the Executive Board.
The six members are appointed by agreement among EU heads of state and
government, and serve eight-year terms. |
For
further information on the ECB:
The
European Union: A Guide for Americans, pg. 12
www.ecb.int/
www.eurunion.org
For an
explanation as to how each of the above-described institutions works, see
How Does the European Union Work? Pg. 16-23.
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Part
I. EU Intro. [1] [2] [3] |
