1. The European Union Explained
Michael Raftery & Beccy Allen

2. European Council
Who?
Made up of all member-states’ heads of government or state
President of Commission also attends
How?
Meets four times a year
Presidency of the Council rotates every six months
What?
Defines EU’s strategic direction
Presidency currently held by France
The country holding the Presidency has more influence over the agenda

3. European Commission Who? Headed by Cabinet of 27 Commissioners
Employs about 30,000 people
How?
President of Commission chosen by EU governments
Commissioners nominated by their national governments
Commissioners and President approved by EU Parliament
What?
Drafts proposals for EU laws
Implementing decisions
Manages day-to-day business of EU
The President and Commission are appointed for five years at the same time as elections for the European Parliament
Commissioners are not there to represent national interests
Each is responsible for a specific area of EU policy
1999 Commission resigned after unfavourable independent report alleged financial mismanagement (resigned before the parliament could vote on whether to dismiss it)

4. Council of Ministers Voice of the member states Who?
Made up of a government minister from each member state
Membership changes according to the subject of discussion
How?
Each country has weighted vote
Makes decisions alongside the EU Parliament
What?
Considers legislation from Commission
Sets EU policy on issues where the EU can
only act unanimously- such as defence &
foreign policy
Signs international treaties with non-EU
states on behalf of the EU
Also called Council of the European Union (more official title)
Eg. Minister responsible for environment would attend the session addressing this issue
Presidency rotates between EU members every 6 months
Each country has a weighted vote and two thirds must agree to pass a law
On most issues the Council must vote in agreement with the Parliament (co-decision) but certain issues such as national borders and defence are reserved and the Council acts unanimously

5. European Parliament Voice of the people Who? 785 MEPs
MEPs form cross-country coalition parties and sit in these groupings
How?
Elected every five years (in the UK we use a closed-list PR system)
Only directly elected body in EU
What?
Legislates as an equal with Council of Ministers
Most work done in committees
Vote in plenary sessions
Eg. Labour sits with the Party of European Socialists
Hold the European Commission to account and can force it to resign
Decides EU budget

6. Court of Justice Who? One judge per member-state
Judges elect one of their number as President for three years
How?
Judges appointed by the Governments of member-states
Chosen from experienced and highly qualified judges in home countries
What?
Union law applied the same across EU
Settles legal disputes
Can overrule national law, if it conflicts with
EU Law, since it is the highest court in the EU
Terms last 6 years and are renewable

7. Court of Auditors Who? One member from each EU state
Elect one of themselves as President
How?
Appointed by Council of Ministers
Chosen from highly qualified auditors in home countries
What?
Oversee EU accounts
Produce audit report each year
Renewable 6 year terms
President renewable 3 year term
Parliament must approve the handling of the budget by Commissioners (from Auditors report)

8. How it all fits together….
European Council
Directs strategy
European
Commission
Proposes legislation
and budget
Appoints & supervises
Appoints
European
Parliament
Council of
Ministers
co-decision
National
Governments
citizens
EU law
EU budget
arbitrates
supervises
Court of
Justice
Court of
Auditors

9. How are laws passed? European Parliament suggests changes
European Commission
proposes draft law
The Council of Ministers considers this draft
Does the Council of Ministers approve?
The Council of Ministers suggests changes
European Parliament re-examines the draft law
Does European Parliament agree?
European Parliament suggests changes
Can the Council and European Parliament agree?
European Parliament and Council call a conciliation committee
Can the European Parliament and Council reach agreement
Legislation is dropped No
Law is adopted
Yes
European Parliament discusses draft and makes changes

10. What do MEPs do?
The 12 regions and nations of the United Kingdom have between three and ten MEPs
They divide their time between their regional constituencies in the UK and committee and political group meetings in Brussels
For one week in every month they are in Strasbourg to vote in a full session of the European Parliament
They do much of their political work as members of at least one of Parliament’s twenty specialist policy committees
Contacting MEPs
allows you to enter your postcode and find out who your MEPs are
Typically, MEPs spend Monday to Thursday either in Brussels or Strasbourg and Friday/weekend in the UK
Contact all MEPs in your region, giving them at least 6 weeks notice and a variety of dates
Contact all MEPs in your region to have a good chance of them coming to your school
Give them a variety of dates and at least 6 weeks notice

11. Useful Links

12. Breakout session Nominate a presenter to feedback:
What was the activity?
Strengths/Weaknesses?
How would you use it (differentiation)?