- Citizens of European Union countries have started voting in the European Parliament elections.
- The European Union is made up of three main political branches: the European Commission, which serves as the executive branch, the European Council, which represents the national governments of the EU member states, and the European Parliament, which works in conjunction with the European Council to pass legislation.
- EU law can take the form of treaties, which define the group’s principles and procedures; regulations, which apply directly to all member states; directives, which require countries to achieve specified objectives and provide flexibility in methods of implementation; and decisions, which are addressed to specific companies, individuals, or member states.
Citizens across the country European Union Voting is currently taking place in elections for the European Parliament, to select direct representatives to the supranational legislative body.
The European Parliament is one of the three main political institutions of the European Union, along with the European Council, which represents the national governments of the 27 member states, and the European Commission, the Brussels-based executive branch of the EU.
Here are some details about the functioning of the three main EU bodies.
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how laws are made
Only the European Commission can formally propose new laws, either on its own initiative or at the request of other EU institutions or citizens.
Laws are passed through agreement between the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union, which is made up of national government ministers responsible for a particular policy area.
In May, the Council approved landmark rules on artificial intelligence after parliament voted in favour of them, but legislation to restore damaged nature remains in limbo after Hungary withdrew its support for the bill in March.
View of the European Parliament building reflected off the water on May 25, 2024 in Strasbourg, France. (Reuters/Christian Hartmann/File Photo)
Since few Council decisions must be taken by consensus, member states have de facto veto power over EU lawmaking in areas such as taxes, EU enlargement, and foreign policy, including sanctions.
Both Parliament and the Council may formally reject a law at any stage of the process, thus nullifying it.
how institutions and governments interact
In addition to the EU Council of Ministers, the heads of state or government of EU countries also meet in the European Council, usually every three months. The head of the Commission is also invited to attend.
The European Council is the supreme political body of the European Union, which deals with issues that ministers are unable to resolve, sets priorities for the EU’s work, and takes positions on global issues.
EU leaders also propose the President of the European Commission, who must have the support of a majority in Parliament.
This will be the first task of the newly elected European Parliament, as well as electing its own president for a two-and-a-half year term.
The European Council also appoints the European Commission and other key officials, such as the head of the European Central Bank and the head of diplomacy.
Countries contribute to, and receive a share of, the EU budget depending on the size and type of their economy, their compliance with EU law, and specific policy or project needs.
About one-third of the money is spent to raise the standard of living in poor areas and the remaining one-third is spent on farmers.
Funds are also spent on grants and loans to businesses, nonprofit organizations, and students.
Treaties, regulations and directives – what’s the difference?
EU law is negotiated by the Parliament, the Commission and member states. The treaties set out the bloc’s principles, institutions and legislative procedures.
Regulations apply directly to all member countries, while directives require countries to achieve specified objectives and have flexibility in implementation methods. Decisions are addressed to specific companies, individuals or member countries.
Recently adopted acts include the regulation on horse mackerel fishing quotas, the directive on occupational gender equality, and the decision to approve Kuwait’s accession to the International Sugar Agreement.
Key examples in recent months include the regulation issued in May setting tariffs on Russian grain products, the directive issued in February on environmental crimes, and the decision to approve German state aid to RWE in December.
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The treaties and laws are interpreted by the Court of Justice of the European Union, which ensures they are enforced, and also has the power to impose fines on members for violations.
In anti-competition cases, the Court reviews fines imposed on companies by the Commission.
International agreements with partner countries or organizations also shape the legal landscape.
