How does the EU work?

As we made the concept map which represents the main duties (you can find it in the section Articles "European institutions"), one aspect worthy of consideration is keeping in mind how the EU works.

Firstly, the EU is not a Federal State but a kind of "states conference". It's unique in history, and its decision-making system has been in constant evolution for 60 years.

The Treaties are the base of plenty justice acts which have a direct effect to the EU citizens day-to-day. These consist of administrations, rules and recommendations adopted by the European institutions.

We can differentiate seven institutions which can make decisions. These are the following:

-          The European Council: It’s the most important political institution in the EU. It’s made by the presidents and ministers who meet four times in a year in Brussels. Moreover, the European Council determines the European Union aims and does its best to achieve them.

-          The Council:  It is part of the essentially EU legislature which represents the executives of EU member states, the other legislative body. The Council is composed of several configurations national ministers which are twenty-eight because of the number of states.

Its main purpose is to pass the EU legislature. The Council and the Parliament also share the responsibility to pass the EU finances.

                                                                                                                                                             

-          The European Parliament: It represents the citizens of the European Union and shares the legislative power moreover of sharing finances with the Council.  Since 1979, its members can be selected by universal suffrage every five years.

-          The European Commission: It is an essential European institution.  Its rights are making legislatives proposals which are communicated to the Council and the Parliament for the debate and adoption.

The European Commission is independent when it comes to its decisions. Its main purpose is to represent the common interest, so it doesn’t have to attack any orders of the Government

-          Court of Justice of the European Union: Its main role is to guarantee the EU Rights and the correct application and interpretations of the Treaty.

 

                                                                                                                                                   

-          The European Central Bank (ECB):  It is in charge of the management about the Euro and the monetary policies of the European Union. Its main purpose is to keep the balance of the eurozone prices.