Summary Lecture 2 EUPP: The Council and the European Parliament

College 2: The Council and the European Parliament
Positioning the Council and EP
Zie foto hc 1
→ Actors outside the normal route of democracy trying to influence policy making, like interest
groups, this proves that there is also governance present.


Council of Ministers
States could send the head of state or the head of government (ministers). All monsters are in the
Council of Ministers, organized by policy domain. So, there is not just 1 Council of Ministers.
Propose legislature, meet to discuss, amend and adopt laws, and coordinate policies.
→ The ministers have the authority to commit their governments to the actions agreed on in the
meeting.
1. Shares powers with the EP for discussing and passing laws
2. Shares powers with Parliament for debating and approving EU budget
3. Coordinates the public policies of the member states
4. Defines and implements the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy

Comparing the Council of Ministers to the national level, it can best be described as a senate. This
bicameral system also represents regional interest.


Council of Ministers as a cabinet/ministry
Consist of Ministers from member states representing the interest of the member states
- Rotating presidency of the Council: arranges and chairs meetings, agenda-setter, broker, to
solve disagreements and influence the agenda.
- The Council plays a major role in the legislative process, with many councils with a clear
hierarchy. (Ministers → Coreper → Working parties)
- Organizationally, there are various Council formations and preparatory bodies

Legally the Council of Ministers is a unitary body, however, due to the increase in Councils over the
years it no longer is.
→ Some Councils only meet a few times a year, like Education. The commissions don’t have any
authority over the national rulings and therefore it is unnecessary to meet often.


The Council of Ministers as a senate
Pre-Lisbon Treaty:
- The Council co-legislated with the EU Parliament in about 80% of treaty areas
- The Council legislated alone in a number of important areas

Post-Lisbon Treaty:
Most areas are subject to co-legislation by the EU parliament and Council.
→ Foreing policy is an exception

, Ordinary Legislative procedure
Pre-lisbon treaty it was called …
- The Ordinary Legislative procedure gives the Commision the right of initiative.
- The Council of Ministers has the ability to react to these initiatives.
- The Parliament has the possibility to amend and reject proposals of the Council

The goals of the procedure are:
1. All institutions play a role, no one is dominant
2. Procedure in steps ensures decision is made

There are two types of EU legislation
Regulation: Immediately enforceable as law in all member states simultaneously
Directive: Requires member states to achieve a particular result
→ Political issues are directive in the way that only the end goal is set




- Votes on proposals have to be at least 65% yes to implement it. These votes have to be of at
least from 15 member states.
- It is also possible to get a blocking minority from 4 member states representing 35% of the
EU population
- By Qualified majority for more everyday problems like justice and environment or by
unanimity for highly sensitive issues like taxes or defense.


Liberal intergovernmentalism
Integration is the result of negotiations by member states, so deals between governments. Integration
can be determined by national interest: coalition of larger member states is key in explaining
outcomes.

Expectations
- EU structure and policy is the result of bargaining between EU member states
- EU integration only proceeds when in line with national interest of member states
→ Key role for COuncil of Ministers, EU Council, especially the larger member states in the Council.