The European Commission The European Council The European Court of Justice

President of the European Council (since 1 December 2014, Donald Tusk) President of the European Commission (since 1 November 2014, Jean-Claude Juncker) President of the European Parliament (since 1 July 2014, Martin Schulz) Presidency of the Council of the European Union (since 1 January 2015, Latvia) Wait a minute … How many presidents?

The European Commission Executive arm of the EU Has the sole right to initiate draft legislation (except foreign and security) Administers EU expenditure and collects revenue Acts as guardian of EU treaties Represents EU on world stage (e.g. Trade) Also acts as civil service for EU – 23,000 officials Its ‘political face’ is the president of the commission (Jean-Claude Junker) and the College of Commissioners

President Appointed by qualified majority vote (QMV) in the European council. Serves 5 year term. Allocates jobs within the College and can reshuffle posts. Provides leadership, but needs support of member states. College of Commissioners Commissioners meet in the College to discuss proposed legislation. 27 commissioners. Not national representatives and must be impartial. European Parliament votes on whether to approve the college as a whole. They are given portfolios of one area of EU activity. British national in college is Catherine Ashton, who is also the Vice President. Directorates-general Commission divided into administrative units. There are 23 of these. Each covers particular policy areas (e.g. agriculture) The European Commission

The European Council Meeting place of heads of government and foreign ministers Also attended by President of European Commission and European Council Lisbon treaty created permanent post of president of the European Council selected by the Council for a renewable 2 ½ year term Former Polish PM, Donald Tusk, is its second president Political body – not legislative (was separated from Council of Ministers in Lisbon Treaty 2007)

The European Council is the EU’s key strategic body; it gives member states influence over the Commission Set the agenda and direction of the EU Discuss major issues in the EU and in international affairs Make key decisions of foreign and economic policy Launch new policy initiatives and agree treaty changes Functions and powers

Main decision making body of the EU Ministers from the member states take key decisions on EU legislation ‘Team Presidency’ was created by the Lisbon Treaty = 3 states share presidency for 18 months (UK 2017 with Estonia and Bulgaria) Part of EU Legislature (shares with EU Parliament) but proposals must come from European Commission Takes key decisions on common, economic and security policy The Council of Ministers

General Affairs Includes national foreign ministers. Council deals with issues that cut across policy areas (e.g. Should EU enlarge?) Foreign Affairs National foreign ministers and chaired by High Representative – Foreign, Security and Defence policy Economic and Finance Affairs National finance ministers. Budgetary and financial matters Agriculture/Fisheries Deals with largest areas of EU expenditure The Council of Ministers

To get approved a proposal must be backed: – FIRSTLY backed by majority of member states – SECONDLY backed by 255 votes from a total of 345 An efficient way of taking decisions in a large 27 member EU – BUT problems will clearly arise – There will be changes – Lisbon treaty has replaced QMV with ’Double majority’ system – a qualified majority is reached when 55% of member states representing 65% of EU population vote for a proposal.

European Court of Justice Consists of three courts – Court of Justice – General court – Civil service Tribunal First court is most significant – has one judge from each member state – BUT cases only heard by three or five

Upholds EU law Decides cases involving member states, EU institutions, businesses and individuals National courts can ask the court for a ruling on EU law Decisions have had a major impact on role and strength of EU Costa vs. ENEL (1964) – ruled that Community law can not be over-ridden by national law Cassis de Diron Case (1979) – Paved the way for the single European market European Court of Justice