EU midterm (institutions)

European Council Setup

• heads of state/heads of government

• three non-voting members: High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, President of European Council, President of the Commission

• executive branch

European Council Powers

• does not have legislative powers, but affects policy-making through containing the highest government officials of each state

  • dictates the issues/political agenda

• executive branch

• tied for most powerful

European Council Supranational/intergovernmental

• heads of state - advocating for their states

  • intergovernmental

European Council balance of power

• very powerful, lots of influence

  • leaders elected by their people - can be voted out

• checked by the Ministers, Parliament, Commission

Ministers Setup

• appointed by the heads of state

• General Affairs Body (stable)

  • can also send others for specific issues

• meets every month

Ministers Powers

• co-legislator with EU Parliament

• specialized on issue areas

Ministers supranational/intergovernmental

• working on specific issue areas

• elected by heads of state - still somewhat response to their own states

Ministers balance

• balanced by Parliament

• doesn’t have the lobbying power of the heads of state

• everything else is more powerful

• approves everything - checks parliament and EU Council

EU Commission setup

• EU Council selects commission

• Parliament approves you

EU Commission Powers

• drafts legislation - must be approved by parliament and council of ministers

• manages the budget

EU Commission Powers

• drafts legislation - must be approved by parliament and council of ministers

• manages the budget

EU Commission Supranational/Intergovernmental

• not directly elected by people

• serving the EU, not your specific state or its citizens

EU Commission Balance

• checked by Parliament and Ministers

  • legislation/budget must be approved by both bodies

EU Parliament Setup

• directly elected by citizens

• large body - 720

• forms parties on issue lines, not states

EU Parliament Power

• amending and passing legislation

• large budgetary power (approving budget)

• approve and amend law

EU Parliament Intergovernmental/Supranational

• serves the people of the EU, not their states

• passing legislation for EU

• still slightly responsive to the voters from their states

EU parliament Balance

• actions must be approved by the EU commission and the Council of Ministers