EU institutions and power relations

European Council
As you see in the first picture, European Council is the highest body of the protocol and the highest steering body without legislative powers. With the Lisbon Treaty becomes the highest institution of the EU, the Councel defines the general political direction. Meetings are held 4 or 5 times per year in Brussels. The members of the EU Council are chiefs or heads of government of the EU members. Branches of the separation of power:

European Parliament and Council of the European Union are categorized in the legislative branch. The European Commission is part of the executive. The European Court of Justice is the juridical branch.

Not included in the classic classification is the European Council as the council of the heads of state. Functions:

1. 2. 3.

Defines the principles and general guidelines for a common EU strategy; Prepares and issues the Presidency Conclusions and other guidance documents for the Council and Commission; encourages, confirmes, welcomes and supports the decisions and documents adopted by the EU Council or Commission.

Decisions of the Council are not voted but are made by consensus. The current president of the EU Council is Herman Van Rompuy. Relationship between Commission, Council and Parliament

EU institutions and power relations

Commission, Parliament and Council of the European Union
You can also see the triangle of Commission, Parliament and Council of the European Union. These three institutions are interacting, for more information see the articlesEuropean Commission, European Parliament, and Council of the European Union. It is simplified described in the second picture, for detailed information please look at the official homepage of the European Parliament. Step 1: The European Commission gives legislative proposals to the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament. Step 2: The codecision procedure. In this procedure (nowadays called "ordinary legislative procedure") both Council and Parliament formulate their position on the proposal. If both agree on the others text the Commission is next. Step 3: The European Commission gives an opinion on the amendments, but just optional. Step 4: If the proposal is adopted it becomes secondary law.

Other institutions
Futhermore there are other important institutions: European Court of Justice: The European Court of Justice (ECJ) is the main actor concering jurisdiction. Interprets the EU law and Treaties to make sure it is applied in all EU countries in the same way. Futhermore national courts of justice can call the ECJ when something is unclear with the interpretation of European law. European Court of Auditors: The European Court of Auditors (ECA) controls the finances of the EU institutions and tries to improve the financial administration. European Central Bank: The European Central Bank (ECB) ist the main actor concerning currency policy and monetary policy. They also set the central rate and are located in Frankfurt am Main, Germany.