This section gives a short overview of who is doing what in the EU decision-making process.
Why the EU?
Who decides?
Who is consulted?
Who influences the policy process?
Why the EU?
The EU works to maintain the stability and peace facilitated in Europe since the creation of the European Economic Community in 1957 and to consolidate the economic and political union of the now 27 Member States. In its initial years the Union’s objectives had a strong economic and trade dimension, reflected by the ongoing creation of a single market in Europe. In the course of its evolution, the EU has become more involved in citizens’ day-to-day lives and acts in a wide range of policy areas — economic, social, regulatory and financial — where its action is beneficial to the member states. These include:
- Solidarity policies (also known as cohesion policies) in regional, agricultural and social affairs;
- Innovation policies, which bring state-of-the-art technologies to fields such as environmental protection, research and development (R & D) and energy.
The Union funds these policies through an annual budget of some €134 billion (2009 data), which is largely paid for by the member states. It represents a small proportion of the EU’s collective wealth (a maximum of 1.24 % of the combined gross national income of all member states). The largest part of the budget has been invested towards supporting growth and regional investment in the EU. Each annual budget is part of a seven-year budget cycle known as the ‘financial perspective’. They are drawn up by the Commission and require unanimous approval from the member states and negotiation and agreement with the European Parliament. Under the 2007–13 financial perspective, the total budget for this period is €864.4 billion. The European Investment Bank (EIB) provides loans and guarantees to help the EU’s less developed regions and to help make businesses more competitive
The EU at a glance
The EU in slides
EU budget - EU 2009 budget and 2007-2013 financial perspectives
EU Grants EU contracts EU beneficiaries EU loans
The Treaties (known as ‘primary’ legislation), are the basis for a large body of secondary’ legislation which has a direct impact on the daily lives of EU citizens. This legislation consists mainly of regulations, directives and recommendations adopted by the EU institutions. These laws, along with EU policies in general, are the result of decisions taken by the institutional triangle made up of the Council (representing national governments), the European Parliament (representing the people) and the European Commission (a body independent of EU governments that upholds the collective European interest).
The EU Decision-making Triangle
The European decision-making process involves three major institutions: the European Commission, the Council of the European Union, and the European Parliament. Each has its own responsibility and role to play in the EU. Proposing new legislation falls under the Commission’s activities, while the Council and the Parliament are in charge of actually passing the laws.
The European Commission: promoting the common interest
The Commission is the promoter of the common interest in the European Union and main source of new legislation. Its role as initiator of new legislation by presenting draft legislative proposals to the Council and the European Parliament is undoubtedly the most important and influential. The Commission is also in charge of the day-to-day business of the EU, such as the implementation of European policies and the spending of EU funds. The Commission consists of 27 members, one from each Member State, and covers a wide range of policy areas. José Manuel Barroso is the current President of the European Commission.
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Members of the European Commission 2010-2014
Directorates-General and Services
The Council of the European Union: the voice of Member States
European governments convene in the Council of the European Union. Depending on the subjects discussed, the Council meets in different configurations: Justice and Home Affairs council, Employment and Social Affairs council, General Affairs & External Relations council etc. The European Council, the high-level European summit, gathers the heads of state (prime ministers and/or presidents) of the Member States up to 4 times a year. Along with the European Parliament, the Council is responsible for adopting legislation proposed and amended through the EU’s decision-making procedure, as well as for taking policy decisions. The Council Presidency changes every six months. List of Presidencies of the EU Council until June 2020.
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Current Presidency calendar
The European Parliament: the voice of the people
The citizens of the EU are represented by the elected Members of the European Parliament (EP). Along with the Council, it primarily passes laws based on the Commission’s proposals. It also has budgetary powers shared with the Council for approving the annual EU budget. IT has become a more powerful body in recent times and has the power to dismiss the European Commission through a motion of no confidence. The European Parliament is made up of political groups. A monthly plenary session is held where new legislation, resolutions or other documents are voted upon. These are prepared by the relevant EP committees.
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Your MEP
EP Press Service
Read EFC monthly Parliamentary round-up
The EU Courts and the Central Bank
The
Court of Justice works to ensure that EU law is interpreted and applied in the same way in all EU countries. It also makes sure that EU member states and institutions do what the law requires them to do. The Court is located in Luxembourg and has one judge from each member country.
The
Court of Auditors checks that all the European Union’s revenue has been received and all its expenditure incurred in a lawful and regular manner and that the EU budget has been managed soundly.
The European Central Bank (ECB) is responsible for managing the euro and the EU’s monetary policy and the euro.
Who is consulted?
The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC)
When taking decisions in a number of policy areas, the Council and Commission consult the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC). Its members represent the various economic and social interest groups that collectively make up ‘organised civil society’, and are appointed by the Council for a four-year term.
The Committee of the Regions
The Committee of the Regions (CoR) was established under the Treaty on European Union and consists of representatives of regional and local government proposed by the member states and appointed by the Council for a four-year term. Under the Treaty, the Council and Commission must consult the CoR on matters of relevance to the regions, and it may also issue opinions on its own initiative.
Who influences the policy process?
EU Registers of Interest Representatives
In an effort to enhance transparency for citizens, the European Parliament and European Commission have established registers aimed at providing information about the interest representatives / groups who engage with European institutions with a view to influencing policy formation and the decision-making process.
EU Register of Interest Representatives
European Commission Register of Expert Groups
The register of expert groups was set up by the European Commission in 2004 to give a overview of the advisory bodies that assist the Commission in preparing legislative proposals and policy initiatives. The register lists formal and informal advisory bodies established either by Commission decisions or informally by the Commission services and provides key information on those groups, such as the lead service in the Commission, the group's tasks as well as the category of participants.
EC Register of Expert Groups
EU Think Tanks
The number of think-tanks in Europe has more than quadrupled in recent years, and they have become more active and inventive at disseminating policy solutions to decision-makers.
Think Tank Directory Europe
The changing face of European think-tanks (source Euractiv)
The contribution of European Think Tanks to the French, Czech and Swedish Trio Presidencies of the European Union
EU civil society networks