EU institutions

• European Comission formation

  Formed of 1 commisioner per country and is led by the comission president who allocates reponsibilities for policy areas

  The President is nominated by the European Council but must also be approved by European Parliament. Individual commisioners are nominated by national governments
• European Commission - proposes new laws and enforces (along with the ECJ) it ensuring member states comply

  It is the only EU body to propose new laws
• Council of the EU - formation

  Government ministers from each EU country chosen by national governments according to the policy area to be discussed

  There are no fixed ministers

  10 sectional councils that each deal with a specific area of policy
• Council of the EU

  The main decision making body of the EU which shares legislative power with European Parliament and coordinates economic policy

  It negotiates and approves laws proposed by the European Commission.

  Most decisions are made by QMV but some areas require unanimity (foreign policy, taxation)
• European Council - the key strategic body of the EU

  Formed of the leader of al member states as well as a president that serves a 5 year term. The President attends meetings but does not have a vote

  The European Council sets the agenda and defines goals and priorities for the EU
• European Council vs Council of the EU

  European Council is formed of country leaders and the elected president

  Council of the EU is a legislative body that has government ministers from each country to pass laws in the EU
• European Parliament formation

  705 directly electd by member states. The number of members per country is determined by population size. Members sit in political groupings much like in Parliament rather than national delegations
• European Parliament

  It approves the annual EU Budget and the appointment of commissioners

  It amends and vetoes legislation proposed by the Council of the EU and drafted by the Commission. It cannot propose its own legislation

  It oversees the work of the Commission and other EU institutions
• Court of Justice of the EU

  Each judge is appointed for a renewable 6 year term by national governments. In each court, judges select a president who serves a renewable 3 year term

  The Supreme Court of the EU