Council of the European Union

Council of the European Union. Often referred to as the Council of Ministers or simply the Council, it is one of the European Union's primary legislative and decision-making bodies. Alongside the European Parliament, it exercises legislative functions, adopting European Union law and coordinating policies among member states. The institution brings together national ministers from each EU country to discuss, amend, and adopt laws and coordinate policies.

History and development

The origins of the institution trace back to the Treaty of Paris establishing the European Coal and Steel Community, where a "Special Council of Ministers" was created. Its role was formalized and expanded by the Treaty of Rome in 1957, which founded the European Economic Community. Key developments in its powers and procedures were shaped by subsequent treaties, including the Single European Act, the Maastricht Treaty, and the Treaty of Lisbon. The latter, in particular, significantly altered its relationship with the European Parliament by extending the Ordinary legislative procedure as the default method for adopting legislation.

Composition and configurations

The Council is not a single fixed body but meets in ten different configurations, each comprising the relevant national ministers. Key formations include the General Affairs Council, the Foreign Affairs Council chaired by the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, and the Economic and Financial Affairs Council. Other configurations cover areas such as the Justice and Home Affairs Council and the Agriculture and Fisheries Council. The Committee of Permanent Representatives prepares the Council's work, while the General Secretariat of the Council of the European Union provides administrative support.

Functions and powers

Its primary function is to adopt, jointly with the European Parliament, the vast majority of European Union law. It also coordinates the broad economic policies of member states, concludes international agreements on behalf of the European Union, such as trade deals, and approves the Budget of the European Union together with the Parliament. Furthermore, it plays a central role in the Common Foreign and Security Policy, developing the European Union's external actions and ensuring policy coherence.

Decision-making procedures

The most common legislative procedure is the Ordinary legislative procedure, requiring a joint decision with the European Parliament. For most legislative acts, the Council decides by Qualified Majority Voting, a system based on a complex weighting of member state populations and a majority of countries. Unanimity is still required in sensitive areas like taxation, Common Foreign and Security Policy, and certain aspects of justice and home affairs. Other procedures include the Special legislative procedures and Consultation procedure.

Presidency

The Presidency of the Council rotates among the EU member states every six months. The presiding country chairs meetings of most Council configurations, sets the agenda, and works to broker compromises, except for the Foreign Affairs Council. Since 2009, the rotating presidency works within a pre-established trio system, cooperating with two subsequent presiding countries. The current system was established by the Treaty of Lisbon, which also created the permanent position of President of the European Council, a distinct institution.

Relationship with other EU institutions

It shares legislative power extensively with the European Parliament under a bicameral system. It interacts closely with the European Commission, which has the sole right to propose most legislation that the Council then considers. The Court of Justice of the European Union ensures the Council acts within its legal powers. While distinct, it is often confused with the European Council, which sets the Union's political direction, and the Council of Europe, which is a completely separate international organization.