Directly Elected
every 5 years.
(represents the
people)
Total of 736 MEPS from all member
states. Number of MEPS to a state
depends on population E.g. Germany
has most - 99. Malta has least - 5
ROLE
Debating and passing EU Law alongside the
Council
Art 294
Co - Decision procedure. Joint decision between Council of Ministers & the
Parliament. Both are Equal. Lack of agreement will result in Conciliation
Committee to negotiate compromise.
Art 289
Either a decision of the
Parliament alongside Council of
Ministers (a joint decision)
Or a decision of the Council of
Ministers with the Parliament
(Parliament has right to be consulted
but decision is taken by the Council of
Ministers)
Keeps other institutions in check,
specifically the Commision
Has the right to approve the appointment of the
President of the Commission & the Commissioners
ART 17(7) TEU)
Commission is obliged to answer the
Parliaments questions. Also has to produce a
general report, which is discussed by the
Parliament. Art 230 TFEU
Council of Ministers must report 3 times
a year to Parliament
And the President reports
to the Parliament at the
beginning of the year
Debating and adapting the budget alongside the Council
Adopts the budget alongside the Council of the EU
Parliament has a committee that monitors
how budget is spent. Also passes a annual
judgement of the commissions handling of
the previous years budget.
Keeps Council of
Ministers in check,
The Council of the European
Union (the Council of Ministers)
COMPOSITION
Will be a minister
representing each state,
however minister varies
depending on the
subject matter being
discussed.
Presidency
of the
Council of
Ministers
Each of the subject matters has a member
state in charge with the exception of the
Foreign Affairs. These will be rotated every 6
months Art 16(6) TEU
ROLE
Art 16 (1) TEU
Shares legislative powers with
the Parliament - Co Decision
etc.
Co-ordination of the economic polices of member
states. ~Every year it drafts guidelines for the
economic policies of member states. These are
then made into a recommendation, and then
implemented by member states, supervised by the
council
VOTING SYSTEM
ART 205 TFEU
Qualified Majority Voting (QMV) Normally a
two-thirds majority required for a measure to be
approved.
Unanimous - Required for issues such as common
foreign and security policy, taxation, asylum and
immigration.Member States effectively have a veto
on issues, especially where vital national interests
were at stake. Potentially damaging to the
development of the EU.
European Commision
ROLE
Legislation - Drafts proposals to the
European Parliament and the Council
LAW ENFORCEMENT -
Guardian' of the Treaties -
ensures MSs adhere to
obligation of compliance (Art
4 TEU); Union law is being
applied properly; deals with
breaches through Art 226
proceedings.
Face of the Eu - International Representation
Composition - One from each member state,
each commisioner will represent a different area
of the commissions business
Art 244-50
European Council
ROLE - Provide the union with the
necessary impetus for development and
to define general political guidelines Art
15 TEU
Arts 235-6 TFEU
Shall NOT
exercise
legislative
functions
Art 15(6) TEU Lists the
president of the council
and his tasks.
The Court of Justice of the
European Union CJEU
Art 251-281 TFEU
Art 258 - Infringement
proceedings against
member states
Art 263 TFEU - Action against
Institutions for exceeding powers
Art 265 TFEU - Action against
institutions for failure to act
Art 267 TFEU - Preliminary referecnes
from Member state courts as to
interpretations of Treaty articles
ROLE - To ensure that the law of the Treaties is
correctly observed
Composition - 1 Judge-Rapporteur for each member state,
plus 8 advocate generals. Each appointed for 6 Years/