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Institutional Triangle

The document summarizes the main EU institutions: The European Commission proposes new legislation and implements policies and the budget. The European Parliament passes EU laws jointly with the Council and oversees the Commission. The Council of Ministers passes EU laws jointly with Parliament and coordinates policies between member states. Outside the triangle are the European Council which defines political priorities, and the European Central Bank which sets monetary policy.

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157 views

Institutional Triangle

The document summarizes the main EU institutions: The European Commission proposes new legislation and implements policies and the budget. The European Parliament passes EU laws jointly with the Council and oversees the Commission. The Council of Ministers passes EU laws jointly with Parliament and coordinates policies between member states. Outside the triangle are the European Council which defines political priorities, and the European Central Bank which sets monetary policy.

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okmlie
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We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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EU Institutional Triangle Joanna Kulpa

EYP CAT Handout, updated 20.02.2013 Governing Body VIII

European Commission
 College of 27 Commissioners (politicised) + administrative body
with 33 Directorate General (DGs) and 23.000 administrators
(technocrat)
 The only institution that can propose new legislation
 proposes legislation to Parliament and the Council;
 EU executive: implements EU policies and the budget;
 Guardian of the Treaty - enforces European law (with the Court
of Justice jointly); e.g. can impose fines on companies that break
EU competition law;
 represents the EU the international stage.
27
European Parliament (EP)
 directly elected 750+1 MEPs for 5 years, grouped in European
political groups,
 MEPs work mainly in committees (like EYP!), there is no coalition vs. opposition
 Legislative: passes EU laws jointly with the Council;
 Budgetary: shares authority over the budget with the Council.
 Supervisory: exercises democratic supervision, Commission and Council regularly report to EP.

The Council (Council of Ministers, Council of the EU)


 works in formations of ministers from MS for a given topic: e.g. Environment, Justice and Home
Affairs (JHA), Economic and Financial Affairs (ECOFIN) etc
 rotating Presidency: for 6 months the meetings of a given formation are chaired by the relevant
Minister from the MS holding presidency. Presidencies cooperate in trios (currently: IE – LT – GR)
 Legislative: passes EU laws jointly with the Parliament;
 Budgetary: adopts EU budget jointly with the Parliament;
 Coordination: coordinates economic policies of member states; develops foreign and security policy
 concludes agreements between the EU and one or more states, international organisations.

Outside the Triangle


European Council
 Heads of States and Governments + President of the Commission + President of the European
Council + (High Representative)
 It’s meetings (at least 4 times a year) are the ‘Summits’ you hear about in the news
 Defines EU priorities, and the political direction, e.g. decides about extra-ordinary crisis solutions;
 Finalises EU Treaties and big EU reforms,
 Leads in foreign policy as a collective Head of State

European Central Bank


 Independent Central Bank, based in Frankfurt
 Responsible for the single monetary policy (eurozone), single goal of price stability,
 Currently also involved in the crisis resolutions, e.g. bailout funds, with IMF and European
Commission

Court of Justice of the European Union (Luxembourg)


 ensures compliance with the law in the interpretation and application of the European Treaties of
the European Union

NOT EU!
Council of Europe – An international organisation in Strasbourg, 47 countries of Europe. It was set up to
promote democracy and protect human rights and the rule of law in Europe.
EU Institutional Triangle Joanna Kulpa
EYP CAT Handout, updated 20.02.2013 Governing Body VIII

ANNEX I

EUROPEAN COMMISSION: Directorates General (DGs)

1. Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI)


2. Budget (BUDG)
3. Climate Action (CLIMA)
4. Communication (COMM)
5. Communications Networks, Content and Technology (CNECT)
6. Competition (COMP)
7. Economic and Financial Affairs (ECFIN)
8. Education and Culture (EAC)
9. Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion (EMPL)
10. Energy (ENER)
11. Enlargement (ELARG)
12. Enterprise and Industry (ENTR)
13. Environment (ENV)
14. EuropeAid Development & Cooperation (DEVCO)
15. Eurostat (ESTAT)
16. Health and Consumers (SANCO)
17. Home Affairs (HOME)
18. Humanitarian Aid (ECHO)
19. Human Resources and Security (HR)
20. Informatics (DIGIT)
21. Internal Market and Services (MARKT)
22. Interpretation (SCIC)
23. Joint Research Centre (JRC)
24. Justice (JUST)
25. Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (MARE)
26. Mobility and Transport (MOVE)
27. Regional Policy (REGIO)
28. Research and Innovation (RTD)
29. Secretariat-General (SG)
30. Service for Foreign Policy Instruments (FPI)
31. Taxation and Customs Union (TAXUD)
32. Trade (TRADE)
33. Translation (DGT)

ANNEX II

THE COUNCIL: Configurations

1. General Affairs
2. Foreign Affairs – chaired by High Representative (not by Presidency)
3. Economic and Financial Affairs
4. Justice and Home Affairs (JHA)
5. Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs
6. Competitiveness (internal market, industry, research and space)
7. Transport, Telecommunications and Energy
8. Agriculture and Fisheries
9. Environment
10. Education, youth, culture and sport

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