Establishment and powers of its key institutions and the process of enlargement. (OCR A-Level Politics): Revision Notes

33.4.2 Establishment and powers of its key institutions and the process of enlargement.

European Commission

The European Commission is a supranational body that does not represent individual member states but rather the collective interests of the European Union (EU). It is composed of 28 commissioners, one from each member state, who are appointed for five-year terms. These commissioners are responsible for specific policy areas such as trade, environment, or competition.

• Legislative Role: The Commission has the exclusive right to propose legislation, making it a central actor in the EU's law-making process.
• Watchdog Role: It acts as the guardian of the EU treaties, ensuring member states comply with EU law and taking legal action against those who do not.
• Policy Implementation: The Commission oversees the application of EU law, manages the EU budget, and represents the EU in international negotiations.

Council of Ministers

The Council of Ministers is primarily an intergovernmental body where ministers from the 28 member states meet to discuss, negotiate, and adopt EU laws.

• Decision-Making: The Council serves as the decision-making branch of the EU, working alongside the European Parliament in the legislative process. The introduction of Qualified Majority Voting (QMV) has added a supranational element, as not all decisions require unanimous agreement.
• Presidency: The presidency of the Council used to rotate every six months among member states, but since 2009, it has had a permanent chair.
• Committee of Ministers: This committee within the Council monitors and ensures that human rights are upheld within the EU.

European Council

The European Council is a senior forum where the heads of government from the member states meet to discuss the overall direction and priorities of the EU.

• Intergovernmental Nature: It is an intergovernmental body, and decisions often require consensus or are subject to national vetoes.
• Strategic Agenda: The European Council sets the strategic agenda for the EU but does not pass laws. It provides political direction and resolves issues that cannot be settled at lower levels.

European Parliament

The European Parliament is a supranational institution composed of 751 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), who are elected every five years.

• Legislative Powers: Initially, the Parliament served as a scrutinising assembly. However, with the passage of the 2009 Lisbon Treaty, it now holds significant legislative powers, deciding the vast majority of EU legislation.
• Co-Legislator: The Parliament acts as a co-legislator with the Council of Ministers on matters such as agriculture, energy policy, immigration, and EU funds. It also has the final say on the EU budget.

European Court of Justice (ECJ)

The European Court of Justice is a supranational institution responsible for interpreting and adjudicating EU law.

• Judicial Role: The ECJ ensures that EU law is applied uniformly across all member states and can disapply national laws that are incompatible with EU law.
• Composition: The court is composed of 28 judges, one from each member state, and 8 advocates general who advise the court.
• Court of First Instance: The ECJ also includes a court of first instance that handles specific cases brought by individuals and companies.

Process of Enlargement

The process of EU enlargement has involved the gradual inclusion of new member states, expanding from the original six founding members to the current 27. Enlargement requires candidate countries to meet specific criteria, including political stability, a functioning market economy, and the adoption of EU laws and regulations. The enlargement process has both deepened and broadened the EU, bringing in countries from various regions of Europe and integrating them into the EU's political, economic, and legal frameworks.

The Expansion of EU Membership

The expansion of the European Union (EU) has been both a strength and a challenge for its influence in global politics. States tend to join the EU in geographical blocs, often due to shared borders and regional interests. The 2004 expansion into former Warsaw Pact states was particularly significant, marking a politically important moment in the post-Cold War era. This expansion required the EU to adapt its decision-making processes, leading to the increased use of Qualified Majority Voting (QMV) and granting more power to the European Parliament. However, not all member states are in the Eurozone—only 19 out of 27—which creates disparities in economic integration and limits the EU's cohesion and influence.