INSTITUTIONS OF THE EUROPEAN UNION
The distribution of competence tries to establish the classic principle of separation of powers. Because of the cooperative system the realization of this can only be realized partly.
European Parliament
It is the democratic body of the Union and consists of 626 independent representatives. Each country has the right to send a fixed number of representatives, but this number doesn’t reflect the real population situation. For example a Belgian representative stands for 70.000 Belgians, a German Representative for 800.000 Germans.
The parliament is split into 9 different political parties.
Its major tasks are approval of the budget, parts of the legislation, approval of new member states and approval of commissioners.
It is located in Strasbourg
Council of Ministers
The Council has the greatest operative competence of the institutions. He is the link between the member-states and the Union. Although the influence of the parliament has been increased, the Council still is the most important legislative body.
Each state sends one representative with the status of a secretary (minister) who has the full power to negotiate and act on behalf of that state.
He has the competence for legislation, foreign affairs, budget, execution and nomination of members of different committees.
Located in Brussels
European Commission
The Commission has 20 members, each of the big states (France, Italy, Germany and UK) sends two, each of the commissioners is only committed to the good of the Union.
The Commission and its members are independent from the influence of the member states and therefore the Commission is the epitome of a supranational body.
The main tasks: participation in legislation including initiation of laws, enactment and enforcement of the laws and control of the realization. In addition they have the right to ban or allow national variations of the law of the Union.
The Commission is located in Brussels
Court
The Court is the jurisdictional body of the Union.
The Court is especially responsible for interpretation of the law of the Union, control of legal activities of the different bodies and their consistence with superior law, evolution of the law and control of the activities of the member states with respect to the law of the Union.
The court has two instances, the first for actions from individuals and legal entities with respect to their rights, the second one for disputes with respect to member states and (only) legal questions of the first instance.
It is located in Luxembourg
Audit Office
Its task is the control of the financial transactions
Located in Luxembourg
Others
Economic and Social Committee
Regional Committee
European Investment Bank
European Environment Agency
European Central Bank
last modified: 05/30/06 13:43