From June 6 to 9, voters in the European Union are called to the polls to elect their MEPs. At the end of the vote, the EU Parliament will be renewed. One month before these elections, franceinfo presents the four major institutions that govern the Union.
What is the role of the European Parliament? How does it fit in with that of the European Commission? And what distinguishes the European Council from the Council of the European Union (EU)? The four major institutions that hold power within the EU are often little known to citizens themselves. Millions of voters are nevertheless called to the polls in the 27 member states – Sunday June 9 for the French – to renew the composition of the first of these bodies. One month before the European elections, franceinfo offers you an overview of the four political institutions of the EU.
The European Parliament : the only European body elected by citizens
What is it used for ? The Parliament is the only European institution to be directly elected by the citizens of the Union. The MEPs who make it up represent them. This assembly plays the role of co-legislator, alongside the Council of the European Union, with which it votes and amends European laws initiated by the European Commission. At the European level, we are talking about directives (which must be transposed into national law by the member states) and regulations (which apply directly).
Parliament also has budgetary power: it is it which votes on the budget presented by the European commissioners. It also plays a role of political control. The President of the European Commission is thus designated thanks to the vote of Parliament. He can also censure the Commission, which must then submit its resignation collectively or dismiss a single commissioner. MEPs can finally ask written and oral questions, receive petitions or even create special committees.
How does it work ? The current European Parliament has 705 deputies. After the June elections, for the next legislature it will have 720 members elected by direct universal suffrage, in one round and with proportional representation. If the headquarters of the institution is in Strasbourg (Bas-Rhin), parliamentarians also sometimes work in Brussels (Belgium). THE compromise is a key concept, notably because no party holds an absolute majority. All decisions must therefore achieve consensus among a majority of MEPs from 27 countries and different parties. The hemicycle has seven different political groups, including Renew – which includes the French presidential majority –, Identity and Democracy with in particular the National Rally, and the left group of which La France insoumise is a part. Twenty thematic committees, such as those on fisheries or foreign affairs, are set up to facilitate legislative work and help MEPs reach a common position, necessary during negotiations with the Council and the Commission.
What was one of the last decisions he made? On April 24, the European Parliament approved a revision of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), relieving it of certain environmental rules, in order to appease the anger of farmers. These measures, voted on under an emergency procedure, were approved by a large majority (425 votes for, 130 against and 33 abstentions) during the very last plenary session of Parliament, a few weeks before the June elections. . These legislative revisions, demanded by the Twenty-Seven after demonstrations by the agricultural world, were ratified without substantial change by the member states. MEPs approved the text, which completely removes the obligation to leave at least 4% of arable land fallow or non-productive areas (hedges, groves, ponds, etc.), much criticized by agricultural organizations.
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The European Commission: the executive body
What is it for ? The European Commission, in a way, embodies the government of the EU. It concentrates three powers: executive, legislative and judicial. It is therefore responsible for implementing the legislative texts adopted by the Parliament and the Council of the European Union. In conjunction with these two institutions, the Commission implements the Union budget. In this context, it controls European funding in particular. It is also she who proposes the legislative texts. As such, it has a right of initiative: it submits its legislative proposals to the co-legislators, the Council of the EU and the Parliament. Concerning its judicial power, it is the “guardian of the treaties” and monitors their proper application. It can also initiate actions before the Court of Justice of the Union against a State which does not respect the rules of the Twenty-Seven. Finally, it is the Commission which, under authorization from the Council of the EU, negotiates international agreements.
How does it work? The European Commission is made up of 27 commissioners (one per member state) all sitting in Brussels. Each commissioner has a thematic portfolio. The best-known personality remains its president Ursula von der Leyen, the first woman to take the helm of this institution in 2019. At her side, we also find heavyweight commissioners like the Frenchman Thierry Breton in charge of the internal market, the Danish Margrethe Vestager in charge of digital, or the Spaniard Josep Borrell in charge of foreign affairs and vice-president of the Commission.
When was the last time she stood out? There European Commission announced on Monday May 6 its intention to put an end to the procedure of Article 7 of the EU Treaty, triggered in December 2017 against Poland, welcoming the measures taken by the government of Donald Tusk to restore the independence of the judicial system. This procedure can in theory lead to a suspension of a country’s voting rights within the Council of the EU, in the event of a “serious violation” of the rule of law in a member state. It was launched by the Commission against Poland due to concerns about the judicial reforms implemented by the nationalist Law and Justice party (PiS), in power until 2023, accused of undermining the independence of judges. The Article 7 procedure has only been triggered against one other Member State: Viktor Orban’s Hungary, this time at the initiative of the European Parliament, in September 2018, due to a “systemic” threat to EU values in this country.
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The European Council: not to be confused with the Council of Europe
What is it used for ? The European Council defines the main orientations of the Union by driving its main measures. Its conclusions may or may not be followed by other European institutions. It also plays a conciliatory role and intervenes within the framework of the Council of Ministers of the EU in order to resolve a crisis situation and provide a solution in the event of a dispute between Member States.
How does it work ? The European Council sits in Brussels and brings together the 27 heads of state of the member countries of the Union. It is headed by a president elected for a term of two and a half years. Currently, it is the Belgian Charles Michel who holds this position. The board usually meets four times a year. Its president may, however, convene additional meetings to deal with urgent matters.
Please note, the European Council should not be confused with the Council of the European Union, which brings together EU ministers, nor with the Council of Europe, which is an international organization. with 46 member states, created after the Second World War in 1949 and whose role is to protect and promote human rights, the rule of law and democracy.
When was the last time he was talked about? The European Union decided in mid-April, a few days after the unprecedented attack carried out by Iran against Israel, to impose new sanctions against Iran targeting drone and missile producers. “We wanted to send a clear message”, declared the President of the European Council Charles Michel after a summit in Brussels bringing together the leaders of the 27 member countries. In their communiqué adopted after the summit, EU leaders called “all parties to exercise the greatest restraint and to stay away from any action that could increase tensions in the region”.
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The Council of the EU: a Council of Ministers of the Member States
What is it used for ? The Council of the European Union is supposed to represent the interests of each member state. It shares budgetary and legislative power with Parliament. In this context, he therefore negotiates the legislative proposals and the budget adopted by the Commission. The institution coordinates the policies of the Twenty-Seven, particularly in economic and budgetary matters, and develops then applies the EU’s foreign and security policy.
How does it work ? Often nicknamed the “Council of Ministers” of the European Union, this institution, based in Brussels, brings together the ministers of the member states leading these files. It is made up of 10 different training courses. Among the best known: the Agriculture and Fisheries Council or “Agripêche”, the Foreign Affairs Council or the Council for Economic and Financial Affairs or “Ecofin”. Its presidency is rotating, that is to say that each member state chairs the Council in turn every six months. Currently, Belgium chairs it until the end of June.
When was the last time he was talked about? The Council of the EU adopted on Tuesday May 7 the first European legislation intended to combat violence against women. A text however controversial, because it excludes rape, due to lack of agreement on a common definition. This text criminalizes at European level female genital mutilation, forced marriage, non-consensual sharing of intimate images and even cyberharassment.