Understanding the EU: Institutions, Directives, and Decision-Making

Posted on Aug 25, 2024 in Law & Jurisprudence

EU Directives and Decisions

Directives: These are mandatory rules intended to harmonize and align the various standards of member states. It is mandatory to achieve the goal, leaving the states free to choose the means and ways to achieve it. Directives do not address the people but member states. They enter into force upon notification to the recipient.

Decisions: These are administrative actions required in their entirety for designated recipients. The decision may go to one or several states, and also to individuals or legal entities. They impose, authorize, or prohibit national measures in general or particular.

Recommendations: These suggest to their target a particular course of action. They may be addressed to member states or individuals.

Opinions: These have no binding force for the recipients, whether individuals or states. An opinion is the expression of the views expressed by the commission or advice representing national interests and common interests of the countries that comprise it.

The EU Institutions

The EU institutions are: The Council of Europe, European Parliament, European Commission, Court of Justice.

Three Key Institutions

  1. European Parliament: the voice of the people. Jerzy Buzek (Poland), President of the European Parliament.
  2. Council of Ministers: the voice of the Member States. Javier Solana, Secretary-General of the Council of the European Union and High Representative for Foreign Policy and Security Policy.
  3. European Commission: the common interest. José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission.

The European Council (Summit)

  1. Composed of heads of state or government of EU member states plus the President of the Commission (who has a voice but no vote).
  2. Since the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon on 1 December 2009, the European Council is led and coordinated by a stable President, thus concluding the old six-month presidencies. The term of office is 2 ½ years, renewable once.
  3. The President is Herman Van Rompuy (Belgium).
  4. Its quarterly meetings are known as European Summits.
  5. It is charged with guiding economic policy and promoting and defining the general policy of the EU.

The Council of Ministers: The Voice of the Member States

  1. A minister from each EU country.
  2. Rotating six-month presidency.
  3. Adoption of legislation and the EU budget with the Parliament.
  4. Management of the Common Foreign and Security Policy.

Council: The Voice of the Member States

  1. The Presidency of the Council is rotating and alternates between different Member States. This is chaired by Spain during the first half of 2010.
  2. The Council consists of ministers from national governments of all countries of the European Union (EU). Ministers responsible for matters that each time are to be discussed attend meetings: foreign affairs, economy and finance, agriculture, etc.
  3. Although the Council defends the interests of member states, it also seeks to meet the objectives of the European Union.