European+Union

**__THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT__**
1.) What is it? The European Parliament is one of the EU’s main law-making institutions, along with the Council. 2.) Membership = total number of members / # of seats for each country / term of office? As of 2008, there are 785 members of the European Parliament (MEPs) with a 5 year term. The number of MEPs for each country is roughly proportional to the population, but no country can have fewer than 6 or more than 96 members. 3.) Selection Process for members? MEPs are directly elected by EU voters 4.) Who does the EU Parliament represent? The EU Parliament represents the people. 5.) What is its role / function and power? The European Parliament is responsible for debating and passing European laws, scrutinizing other EU institutions to ensure the democracy of the institutions, and debating the EU’s budget. Cooperation Procedure allows the EU Parliament to give its opinion on draft directives and regulations, which are proposed by the European Commission. In turn, the European Commission takes account of Parliament’s position in its drafts. Assent Procedure states that the EU Parliament must give its assent to any international agreements made by the Commission and to proposed enlargement of the EU (i.e. new members or expanion of powers). 6.) How is voting handled in the Parliament? New treaties/member = unanimity Major policy changes = qualified majority (73.9%) Lower level policy changes = majority 7.) What are the major political parties in the EU Parliament and how many seats do they hold?

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">**__THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION__**

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">1.) What is it? The European Commission represents the EU as a whole when drafting proposals for new European laws. It also manages the day-to-day business of implementing EU policies and spending EU funds. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">2.) Membership = total number of members / # of seats for each country / term of office There are 27 Commissioners, one from each EU country and they have a 5-year <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">3.) Selection Process for members The appointment of all Commissioners, including the President, is subject to the approval of the European Parliament. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">4.) Who does the Commission represent? The European Commision represents the interests of the EU as a whole <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">5.) What are its role / function and powers? proposing new laws to Parliament and the Council, managing the EU's budget and allocating funding, enforcing EU law (together with the Court of Justice), representing the EU internationally, for example, by negotiating agreements between the EU and other countries <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">6.) How is voting handled in the Commission? In order to produce a draft of the proposed new law. If at least 14 of the 27 Commissioners agree with it, the draft is then sent to the Council and Parliament. After debating and amending the draft, the council decides whether to adopt it as a law <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">7.) What is meant by “Agenda Setting Function”? the large influence mass media has on the commision.

__<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">**EUROPEAN COUNCIL (COUNCIL OF THE EU / COUNCIL OF MINISTERS)** __

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">1.) What is it? The Coucil is a group of EU leaders that meet at summits. At the meetings, the representatives discuss and decide on broad political parties and big initiatives. The European Council meets about four times per year and they have a permant president position. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">2.) Membership = total number of members / # of seats for each country / term of office: There are twenty seven members in the Euopean Council, one from each member country of the EU. The head of governemnt or state from each country is the leader that meets with the Council. The term of office is consistent with the term of office each country has for their leader. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">3.) Selection Process for members:There is no specific selection process for members. Heads of governemnt or state automatically become apart of the EU Council when they are elected to the position in their own government. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">4.) Who does the Council represent? The Council represents the opinions of the prominent leaders of each member country. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">5.) When and where does it meet? The EU Council meets at least every six months and they usually meet in Brussels. Howvere, the president can hold an important meeting if needed. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">6.) What is its role / function and powers? The Council has two roles. First, it sets political direction and priorities of the EU. Second, it deals with complicated or even sensitive issues that cannot be resolved by lower level governemnt cooperation. The council does not have the power to pass laws. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">7.) How is voting handled in the Council? - Number of Votes for each member / **Unanimity Voting** required when? / **Qualified Majority Voting?** Voting is handled by consensus unless otherwise stated by treaties. Qulaified majority voting and unanimity are used depending on the situation. The president and High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy do not have a vote. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">8.) How is it organized - Specifically: Council of the EU – What is it and what does it do? The EU Council is a body that focuses on priorities and works toward fixed goals. For meetings on particular issues, ministers get together for subject specific discussion. It is called the Council of the Ministers.

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">__**ROLE OF ADDITIONAL INSTITUTIONS**__ <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">A. THE EUROPEAN COURT OF JUSTICE (ECJ): The Court of Justice interprets EU law to make sure it is applied in the same way in all EU countries and it also settles legal disputes between EU governments and EU institutions.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 90%;">B. THE COURT OF AUDITORS: Its role is to improve EU financial management and report on the use of public funds Court of Auditors has the right to check ('audit') any person or organization handling EU funds

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 90%;">C. THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE (EESC): EESC is a forum to discuss issues regarding the single market. It gives Europe's interest groups –trade unionists, employers, farmers – a formal say on EU legislative proposals

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">D. The Committee of the Regions: The Committee of Regions (CoR) is an advisory body that represents local and regional authorities within the EU by putting forward local and regional points of view on EU Legislation. Before the EU can make decisions concerning local and regional government, it must consult with the CoR

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">E. The European Ombudsman: The European Ombudsman investigates complaints of “maladministration” against EU institutions, bodies, offices and agencies. The Ombudsman is completely independent of the government or organizations and presents an activity report to the European Parliamentevery year.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">F. The European Central Bank: The Bank, also known as the ECB, has two main purposes. First, it attempts to keep prices stable by keeping a check on inflation in member countries (especially those that use the euro). Also, the Central Bank keeps the financial system stable by advising financial markets and institutions. Together, the central backs of all 27 member countries forms the European System of Central Banks. The Central bank sets key interest rates and even manages foreign currency reserves.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">G. The European investment Bank: The Investment Bank borrows money on the capital market and then lends it away at low interest rates to EU projects that improve infrastructure, environmental standings, or both in member countries or developing ones. Private and public sectors can benefit from the loaning of the Investment Bank in addition to technical service from experts in the field.