Institutions
Separation of powers
* In modern states and IO the power cannot be
concentrated in hands of one persons or
institution
* states are usually divided into branches
or estates, each with separate and independent
powers and areas of responsibility.
­ Executive
­ Legislature
­ Judiciary
Institutions of the EU
* a European Council,
* a European Parliament,
* a Council of European Union,
* a European Commission,
* a Court of Justice,
* a Court of Auditors.
* Economic and Social Committee
* Committee of the Regions
European parliament
* no supreme legislative competence
* originally:
­ power of control and
­ Budget powers
­ gained legislative power
* One chamber
* 736 MEP's
* Degressive proportionality
Member State
No of mandates
(2009-2014)
Germany 99
France 72
United Kingdom, Italy 72
Spain 50
Poland 50
Romania 33
Netherlands 25
Belgium, Czech Republic, Hungary, Portugal, Greece 22
Sweden 18
Austria 17
Bulgaria 17
Slovakia, Finland, Denmark 13
Ireland, Lithuania 12
Latvia 8
Slovenia 7
Estonia, Cyprus, Luxembourg 6
Malta 5
TOTAL 736
Parliamentary groups
* 7 political groups
­ Group of the European People's Party (Christian Democrats)
­ Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in
the European Parliament
­ Group of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe
­ Group of the Greens/European Free Alliance
­ European Conservatives and Reformists Group
­ Confederal Group of the European United Left - Nordic Green
Left
­ Europe of Freedom and Democracy Group
* At least 25 members and at least one-quarter of the
Member States must be represented
Competences of the European
Parliament
* gives the approval for the designation of
member of the Commission
* power to dismiss the Commission
* Approves to the budget
* Shares the legislative power
Changes under the Lisbon T.
* MPE's ­ max. 750 + 1
* Increased number of field where the EP will
have the shared legislative power
* Possibility to make changes in case of nonmandatory
expenditures of the budget (now
only the Council)
The European Council
* Politically most important institution
* Provides the European Union with the
necessary impetus for its development and
defines the general political directions
* No legislative power
Composition of the European Council
* Until SEA not an official institution of the EC/EU functioning
out of its structure, meetings called
"European summits"
* Comprises of Heads of State or Government of
the Member States together with the President
of the Commission
* Decisions taken by consensus
* Meets at least once a year
* States rotate in holding the presidency
* Presidency prepare s and chairs all meetings
Competences of the European Council
* has no executive or legislative powers
* shall provide the Union with the necessary
impetus for its development
Changes under the Lisbon Treaty
* Fixed and single presidency with a renewable
two-and-a-half year mandate
The Council
* Represents the will of MS
* Main decision-making body
* Do not mislead with Council of Europe and
European Council
Composition of the Council
* The Council is organized around four
structures: the Council configurations, the
Permanent Representatives Committee
(COREPER), the Presidency, and the General
Secretariat
Configurations of the Council
­ General Affairs and External Relations
­ Economic and Financial Affairs
­ Cooperation in the fields of Justice and Home Affairs
­ Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer
Affairs
­ Transport, Telecommunications and Energy
­ Agriculture and Fisheries
­ Environment
­ Education, Youth and Culture
­ Competitiveness
Competences and changes under LT
* Legislative power ­ passes laws alone or
together with EP
* Changes:
­ New double majority Qualified Majority Voting
­ 55% MS and 65% of the population
voting weights system
Germany, France, Italy, GB 29
Poland, Spain 27
Romania 14
Netherlands 13
Belgium, Czechia, Hungary, Portugal, Greece 12
Austria, Sweden, Bulgaria 10
Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Lithuania, Slovakia 7
Estonia, Cyprus, Latvia, Lucembursko , Slovenia 4
Malta 3
Total 345
Big states (orange): 170 votes vs. small states (modrá): 175 votes
QM: 255
+ demographic criterion (62%): facultative and cumulative
+ more than 1/2 of all states must vote yes : obligatory and cumulative
The Commission
* a true supranational body
* "government" of the EC/EU
* promotes the general interest of the European
Union
* ensures the application of the Treaties
* executes the budget etc.
Composition of the Commission
* one national of each Member State
* Appointed by Council, approved by EP
* Each Commissionaire ­ assisted by cabinet
plus Directorate-General or Service
* Decision-making ­ usually by consensus
Competences
* Power of control
* Implementing powers
* Executive powers
* Legislative competence
Future
* Reduction of the number of Commissionaires
* one of the Commission Members will be the
High Representative of the Union for Foreign
Affairs and Security Policy
The Court of Auditors
* Its main task is to independently audit the
management of the EC property and the
performance of the Community budget
* one national from each Member State