Die Institutionen der EU
The European Commission
The European Commission is the politically independent executive authority of the EU, i.e. it is the EU's executive body. It is often referred to as the 'guardian of the treaties', however, its functions go beyond that.
- It is the only European institution with the right of initiative, i.e. only the commision may make a legislative proposal on which the Council and Parliament then vote
- It monitors compliance with EU laws in the member states
- It represents the EU in international organizations
- It negotiates international treaties on behalf of the EU
- It determines the priorities for the allocation of funds (with the Council and Parliament)
- It prepares annual budgets
- It monitors the expenses
The European Commission is composed of 27 representatives,
one per
member state, structured as follows:
- The President
- 5 Vice-Presidents
- 3 Executive Vice Presidents
- One high representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, who is also one of the Vice Presidents
- 18 Commissioners for individual policy areas
In addition, there are more than 20,000 civil servants working in the Commission's 33 general directorates and 20 special departments. They are each led by a general director.
The Commission is reassembled every five years after the European elections.
Unter Berücksichtigung des Wahlergebnis nominieren die Staats- bzw. Regierungsoberhäupter der Mitgliedstaaten (Europäischer Rat) einen Kommissionspräsidenten. Dieser benötigt im Anschluss die Zustimmung des Europäischen Parlaments. Ist diese erfolgt, wählt er aus den Vorschlägen der einzelnen Ländern (ausgenommen sein eigenes) jeweils einen Kommissar aus, der von den jeweiligen Staats- und Regierungschefs angenommen werden muss.
Die nominierten Kommissare müssen sich dem Parlament vorstellen und Fragen der Abgeordneten beantworten. Im Anschluss stimmt das Parlament ab, ob es die Kommission als Ganze akzeptiert oder einzelne Kommissare ablehnt. Zuletzt muss der Europäische Rat die Kommissare ernennen.
Im nächsten Schritt wählt der Europäische Rat noch den Hohen Vertreter für Außen- und Sicherheitspolitik. Die restlichen Ressorts werden vom Präsidenten zugewiesen. Auch bestimmt der Präsident noch sieben weitere Vizepräsidenten, einschließlich der drei Exekutiv-Vizepräsidenten. Die Kommissare stellen für ihre jeweiligen Politikbereiche Bedienstete ein, die in den sogenannten Generaldirektionen tätig sind.
- The political orientation of the commission is set by the president
- Each commissioner is assigned a policy area with associated General Directorates by the President
- Meetings are typically held once a week
- The president may summon extraordinary meetings
- Meetings are not public, protocols are published
- At the meetings, politically sensitive issues are discussed and votes are taken on proposals that must be decided by oral procedure. Resolutions are passed by simple majority
- Less sensitive issues are approved by written procedure. A proposal is submitted in writing to all members. If no objection is raised within a set period of time, the proposal is considered approved
- Decisions on administrative or management measures may be delegated to the general directors
- The General Directorates are responsible for preparing, managing and implementing EU policy, legislation and funding
- The commission operates according to the collegial principle
The collegial principle is a way of running for example governments in which important decisions are voted on in secret among equal mandate holders and the result is represented to the outside world with one vote.
The European Commission operates according to this principle.
The European Council
The European Council is the highest level of political cooperation between EU countries. This council is a meeting of all EU heads of state and government where, among other things, the EU's political agenda is set.
- It decides on the general policy objectives and priorities of the EU
- It deals with complex and sensitive issues that cannot be resolved at a lower level of intergovernmental cooperation
- It defines the common foreign and security policy, taking into account the strategic interests of the EU, as well as defense policy matters
- It appoints and designates candidates for important positions at EU level
Der Europäische Rat setzt sich aus
- den Staats- und Regierungschefs aller EU-Mitgliedstaaten,
- dem Präsidenten des Europäischen Rates
- und dem Präsidenten der Europäischen Kommission zusammen.
It is presided by a president elected for two and a half years by the European Council itself.
- As an "EU summit", it meets at least four times a year
- The President may schedule additional meetings in the case of urgent matters
- Decisions are made according to the consensus principle
- In certain cases, a unanimous decision or a decision with a qualified majority may be required
- Only the heads of state and government are entitled to vote
The consensus principle is a form of decision-making. A final result can only be reached without dissenting votes and must be acceptable to everyone involved. Each person involved in the process has equal rights.
The European Council works according to this principle.
The Council of the European Union (Council of Ministers)
The Council of the European Union is also called "the Council" or "the Council of Ministers". As the latter name suggests, the national ministries from all countries of the EU come together here. Together with the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union is the main decision-making body of the EU.
- It votes on legislative proposals of the Commission
- It approves the EU budget
- It coordinates the policies of the EU countries
- It develops the EU's foreign and security policy, based on guidelines from the European Council
- It establishes international treaties between the EU and other states or organizations
The Rat der Europäischen Union (Ministerrat) tagen die Minister*innen der Mitgliedsstaaten der EU. Dabei gibt es keine festen Mitglieder, vielmehr gibt es zehn verschiedene Ratsformationen, die durch die verschiedenen Politikbereiche bedingt sind. Entsprechend des anstehenden Themas entsendet jedes Mitgliedsland also den national zuständigen Minister.
Der Vorsitz im Rat wird im Turnus wahrgenommen und wechselt alle sechs Monate. Ausgenommen sind Tagungen der Außenminister, bei denen die hohe Vertreterin der Union für Außen- und Sicherheitspolitik den ständigen Vorsitz hält.
- The different formations meet with different frequency
- Discussions and votes on draft legislation are open to the public.
- The weighting of the votes of the individual ministers depends on the size and population of a nation.
- A qualified majority is usually required for the adoption of a decision: 55% of the countries representing at least 65% of the total EU population.
- To prevent a decision, 4 countries representing at least 35% of the total EU population are needed
- Unanimity is required for sensitive matters
- For procedural and administrative matters, a simple majority is sufficient
The European Parliament
The European Parliament stands alongside the Council of Ministers as an equal legislator and representative of the citizens.
In principle, the European Parliament has three major tasks: legislation, supervision and the budget.
Legislation
- It votes on legislative proposals of the Commission
- It decides on international treaties and extensions
- It examines the work program of the European Commission and requests it to propose legislation
Supervision
- It is responsible for the democratic control of all EU institutions
- It elects the President of the EU Commission
- It can file a motion of censure, which can force the entire EU Commission to resign
- It approves expenses from the EU budget
- It processes petitions from EU citizens
- It can appoint committees of inquiry
- It discusses monetary policy with the European Central Bank
- It questions the Commission and the Council of the European Union
- It observes elections
Budget
- It draws up the budget
- It approves the long-term EU budget, the so-called "multiannual financial framework"
Im Europäischen Parlament finden sich Abgeordnete wieder, die auf nationaler Ebene durch die Bürger der jeweiligen EU-Mitgliedsstaaten gewählt werden. Jedoch sind die Wahlsysteme nicht einheitlich. Die Anzahl der Abgeordneten pro Land richtet sich ungefähr nach der Bevölkerungszahl. Dabei kann kein Land mehr als 96 Abgeordnete und nicht weniger als 6 Abgeordnete stellen. Die Gesamtzahl von 705 Abgeordneten darf nicht überschritten werden.
Gewählt wird das Parlament für eine Dauer von 5 Jahren. Die Mitglieder des Parlaments gruppieren sich nicht nach ihren Staatsangehörigkeiten, sondern bilden politische Fraktionen, die immer wieder neu entstehen können.
Das Parlament wählt seinen Präsidenten selbst, aus seiner Mitte heraus, für zweieinhalb Jahre. Dabei wird darauf geachtet, dass sich verschiedene Herkunftsländer sowie „politische Familien“ abwechseln. Die Präsidentin vertritt das Parlament dann vor den anderen EU-Organen, der Außenwelt und hat das letzte Wort bei der Genehmigung des EU-Haushalts.
- The Parliament includes 20 committees and 2 subcommittees
- The individual committees are each responsible for a specific policy area
- The committees prepare and examine legislation
- Deputies and parliamentary groups can propose amendments or reject legislation
- The legislation is also discussed in the individual political fractions
- The Parliament holds plenary sessions at which it passes the legislation
- All deputies meet in the plenary chamber during plenary sessions and vote on legislation
- Plenary sessions are usually held on 4 days a month
- Additional meetings may be scheduled in Brussels