The Institutions Of The European Union

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European Comission (general)

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College of Comissioners (27 members), each individual Comissioner is in charge of one policy area -> portfolio , weekly meetings of College

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Appointment of Comissioners

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post-Lisbon treaty: Euroepan Council by QMV nominates Candidate for President -> then elected by EP, if not European Council nominates another Candiate, Council + President of Commission chose other Comissioners, EU Council with approval of president appoints High Representative

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Politicisation of Appointment procedure in Comission

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politicised because of EP's ability to force changes on the compositon of the Commission ( example first Baroso College of Commissioners > now very sensitive to views of MEPs

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The Comissioners

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1 per member state (MS) + president + high representative , five year term which is renewable once, each Comissioner nominated by respective MS, must be accepted by president designate , they have to be independent

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Characteristics of Comissioners

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most are former ministers some very senior, broadly pro-European and have not been associated with extremist parties, Comissioners therefore are within a certain range on the political spectrum

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The President of the Commission

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principle representative to other EU bodies and external ones, expected to give sense of direction to fellow Commissioners, may require resignment of some Comissioners, may take on specific responsibilities on his own

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Cabinets of the Comission

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to assist Comissioners in their duties, personal cabinets: 6 officials+ support staff, each cabinet includ at leat 3 nationalities, chef of cabinet preferably from different nationality than commissioner

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Organisation of Comission

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Commission divided into organisational units >similar to Nat. Gov's. ministries and departments, most carry the title DG- Directorate General .

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Hirarchial Structure of Commission

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important matter chanelled through weekly meetings of College, (decisions almost always by consensus), portfolio for particular area carries respective leadership,

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Power Resources in the Commission

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political + adminstrative institution
power of initative: exclusive and non-exclusive
neutrality (seen as more trustworthy than other EU actors)
small MS look to Comission for protection & leadership

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Responsibilities of the Comission

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propose+ develop legislation,
executive functions:
-rule making powers,
- management of EU finances
- guardian of legal framework
- external representative and negotiator
-mediator and conciliator

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Criticism of the Comission

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- loss of status
-conflicts between politicans and bureaucrats
-not DIRECTLY elected by the citizens (democratic deficit)

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The European Parliament and EU legislation

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extremely active, influences EU's legislative output through:
1 participation policy discussions with Commission at pre-proposal legislative stage, 2 formally adopt own ideas for suggested legislation, 3 via annual budgetary cycle,4 ability to influence Commissions annual legislative programme, 5 views expressed in ordinary legislative procedure 6 buget power: adopt or reject the budget

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Organisation and Operation of the EP

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754 members,
multi-site problem: EP assemblies in Strasbourg, Brussels and Luxembourg.
President: elected to office for 2 1/2 years, president chairs the debates in the chamber, represents EP at other institutions,
Committees: most work carried out , most MEP's member of one committee, responsible for examination of Comissions proposals, rappateur reports and is able to influence,
Plenary meetings: 12 meetings per year + 6 mini-plenary sessions

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weaknesses in EP's legislative influence

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not full legislative powers (unlike Nat. Parliaments.) Council not unusual to decide before consultation from EP
does not have full power OVER comission

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EP and control and supervison of the executive

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1) Comission: supervisory powers
2) Council: less supervisory powers than in Commission because: Council ever changing composition and rotating presidency > hard to gain sphere of influence
3) European Council : even less powers > intergovernmental outside the framework of TFEU

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Elections of EP

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direct since 1979, low turnout > not enough citizens interested (democratic/ information deficit again)

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Political Parties in the EP

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three levels of political activity : 1) transnational, 2) political groups in EP 3) national level
significance of political groups not as high as in national parliaments because: important issues might cause devision but usually EP a coherent group, avoiods left-right divisions aims to increase institutional capability,

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Important Political parties in the EP

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European People's Party
Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats ( S&D)
Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe ( ALDE)

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The Council of Ministers ( general)

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27 varying representatives of 27 MS
voting system : double majority or unanimity
Current Presicency: Ireland
Council functions as a forum for Member States ( intergovernmental) But also many permanent actors that are European Civil servants ( supranational)

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Council Responsibilites

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legislative: developing and making legislation
executive: taking direct responsibility in some policy areas
steering: devising the big bargains that navigate the direction of future work of Union

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Council :Policy and Law Maker

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most independent acting outside Community Method (eg CFDP) , Community methods limitations: 1) restricted to acting 2) EP in ordinary

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Executive of the Council

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implementation function : forces Comission to work through commitology committees composed of Gov Officials > not formally part of the Council, but give indirect powers under OLP
Foreign Defense Policy most direct council executive

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Council as a Mediator

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responsible in activities of mediation and consensus-building, mediation between differentnational and ideological interests but also between different instituions

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Composition of the Council of Minister

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Ministers: different formations to deal with different policy areas (10 different formations), small number of Council formations , national interests defended by national representation and small national delegations

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Compositon of Council of Ministers
Committee of Permanent Representatives

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COREPER II: more senior , more political, works for foreign affairs ecofin etc.
COREPER I: works for council not covered by COREPERII : more legislative and technical matters

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Committees and Working Parties of Council of Ministers

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Committees: national officials, serviced by Council administrators , provide advice to Council and Commission
working parties: analyze Commission proposals

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General Secretariat of the Council of Minister

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administrative support for the work of the Council

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Council Presidency

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rotation system : groupings of three states TROIKA (since 2004 enlargement , held for 18 months
tasks: arrange+chair meetings, build consensus for initiatives, provide leadership, ensurie continuity and consistency of policy development, represent Council in external bodies

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Decision-making procedures in the Council of Ministers

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unanimity: in many areas of decision such as Foreign & Defense Policy,
QMV: 2/3 MS must agree must comprise 62% of population
Lisbon abolished weighted votes and introduced double-majority voting to enter into force in Nov 2014,
MS prefer taking decisions by unanimity (consensual rather than conflictual

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European Council (general)

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formally institutionalized at Lisbon, major political concerning institutional and policy development of EU taken by European Council

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Membership+ treaty of European Council

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European Council : drive for development of the EU shall define general political direction, no legislative functions, consists of heads of states+ President+Comission President+ High Representative

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President of European Council

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prior to lisbon: rotating presidency, now semi-permanent, range of responsibilities not clear, no special powers other than being able to convene special meetings, elected by QMV, has to report to EP

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Activities of the European Council

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focuses upon Evolituion of the EU , constitutional and institutional matters,
important personell decisions: President of European Council, High Representative, Central Bank President, Vice President and Board, proposes Commission Presidency to the EP
economic & monetary: examine crisis , enlargements: applications, authorizing accession, external relations: guidance role in overal matters of CFSP

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European Council in the EU system

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no legislative powers- political decisons only, institutionalization of European Council added extra intergovernmental aspect, focusing upon overarching problems and the big picture

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European Court of Justice

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Luxembours, 27 Judges - 1 per MS , 6 year term in office which is renewable, assistebd by 8 advocates
deals with constitutional and political issues
consists of CoJ and general Court

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European Central Bank

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Tasks :
maintain price stability, prevent inflation, not politically dependent
Difficulties: tensions arising ECB mainly responsible for monetary policy of Eurozone but MS responsible for economic policies
discussions about ECB pursuing exchange rate objectives
how can ECB maintain indepencence and legitimate and accountable to public?
ECB main focus of complaints on the economic performance of Eurozone