EU 4 - European Council

European Council - Members

• President of the European Council

• Heads of State/Government of the 27 MS

• President of the European Commission

President of the European Council

António Costs

Evolution of the European Council & reasons

• 1974 Paris Summit: It was decided that the heads if state it government of the MS meet regularly (3 times a year) (why: need for: overall approach to deal with internal and external problems, more political cooperation, source of strategic direction and political impulse)

• First meeting: Dublin, March 1975

• Started as an informal forum for discussion (no treaty-basis)

• 1992 Maastricht Treaty: Acquired a formal status & role to provide the impetus & general political guidelines for the EU

• 2007 Lisbon Treaty: Became an official EU institution

Nature & characteristics

• Highest level of political authority

• Collective leadership

• Informality & privacy

• Seniority of participants

• Size of the MS

President of the European Council

• Heads the European Council

• Term: Elected for a 2,5 year period (renewable once)

• Elected by the European Council

• Chairs the EUCO meetings

• Preparing the meetings, conducting the debates, drawing conclusions & follow-up (implementation)

• In close contact with the General Affairs Council (GAC) & defines the EUCO agenda

• After the EUCO meetings, he reports to the European Parliament (EP) along with the President of the European Commission (COM)

• External representation of the EU (at the level of heads of state or governments): International summits: alongside the President of the COM; CFSP matters: alongside the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs & Security Policy

Role & Functions of the European Council

• Political agenda-setter/political leadership

• Ultimate decision-maker and highest instance of political appeal

• Crisis manager

• Constitutional („system“) architect; Intergovernmental Conferences (IGCs) → treaty changes

• Electoral body: right to nominate, elect & appoint candidates for top-level jobs (Presidents of the European Council, ECB…)

• Highest Foreign Policy Actor

• Significant role in economic governance & Justice and Home Affairs (JHA)

• No legislative function

European Council (EUCO) Meetings

Formal meetings (scheduled):

• At least 4 times a year, usually in March, June, October & December

• These meetings are also referred to as „EU summits“ & are held in Brussels

• The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy takes part in the work of the European Council but is not a member; the ECB President can also be invited

Informal meetings:

• No formal decisions are taken

Special 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 4 meetings per year

• Formal decisions can be taken at special meetings

What happens in the EUCO meetings

• Adopt conclusions at each European Council meeting

• These conclusions identify specific issues of concern for the EU and outline particular actions to take or goals to attain

• European Council conclusions can also set a deadline for reaching agreement on a particular item or for the presentation of a legislative proposal

• The European Council does not negotiate or adopt laws

Decision-making within the European Council

• Generally the European Council adopts the conclusions by consensus (no member opposes the adoption): only the heads of state/government can vote

Specific cases for unanimity

• Persistent breach of Union values

• Composition of the EP

• Modifying the number of Commissioners

• Rotation of Commissioners

• Identification of strategic interests, objectives & general guidelines for CFSP

• Establishment of common defence

• Passerelle clause for CFSP

• Passerelle clause for MFF

• Simplified treaty revision (general passerelle clause)

• Simplified treaty revision for internal EU competences

• Withdrawal of MS

• Powers of Public Prosecutor

• Amending the status of overseas territories

Specific cases for simple majority

• Decision to examine amendments to the Treaty & decision not to convene a Convention

• Rules of Procedure of the European Council

Specific cases for Qualified majority

• Election & ending the term of office of the President of the European Council

• Proposal for President & appointment of the Commission

• Appointment & ending the term of office of the High Representative

• Configurations & Presidency of the Council

• Appointment of the board of the ECB

Most discussed policy area in the European Council (3)

• Foreign Affairs

• Competiveness

• Treaties and institutions