Council animation decision making (EN)

Summary

The video explains the decision-making process in the Council of the European Union, one of the EU's three main institutions. Composed of national government ministers from each of the 28 member states, the council works with the European Parliament to adopt EU legislation, usually proposed by the European Commission. The ordinary legislative procedure, involving first and second readings, can end in conciliation if an agreement isn't reached. Other procedures like the consent and consultation procedures are used for specific cases. The process is supported by committees and working parties, ensuring smooth operations for the 500 million citizens of the EU.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Council of the European Union is one of the three main institutions of the EU, alongside the Commission and the Parliament.
• 😀 The Council is composed of national government ministers from each of the 28 EU member states.
• 😀 Ministers in the Council represent the interests of their own democratically accountable governments.
• 😀 The Council and Parliament collaborate to consider, amend, negotiate, and adopt EU legislation, usually proposed by the Commission.
• 😀 The ordinary legislative procedure (also known as Cod decision) is the most common method for adopting EU legislation.
• 😀 Under the ordinary legislative procedure, the Council and Parliament are on equal footing when it comes to making decisions.
• 😀 If the Council and Parliament disagree, there can be up to two readings, and a conciliation committee may be convened for unresolved issues.
• 😀 67% of legislative procedure files are concluded during the first reading, 24% during the second reading, and only 9% through conciliation.
• 😀 There are other procedures, such as the consent procedure and the consultation procedure, used for specific cases.
• 😀 Once EU legislation is adopted, it needs to be incorporated into national law, with some being directly applicable and others requiring time to become law.
• 😀 The Permanent Representatives Committee (Coreper) prepares and coordinates the work of the Council, with support from over 150 working parties and committees.

Q & A

What are the main institutions of the European Union?

The main institutions of the European Union are the Council of the EU, the Commission, and the Parliament.

Who makes up the Council of the EU?

The Council of the EU is composed of national government ministers from each of the 28 member states. These ministers represent the interests of their own democratically accountable governments.

How is EU legislation typically created?

EU legislation is typically created through the ordinary legislative procedure, also known as Codecision. In this process, the Commission proposes legislation, and the Council and the Parliament consider, amend, negotiate, and adopt it.

What happens if the Council and the Parliament cannot agree on legislation during the first reading?

If the Council and the Parliament cannot agree during the first reading, there is a second reading. If they still can't reach an agreement, a conciliation committee is convened.

What percentage of EU legislation files are concluded during the first reading under the ordinary legislative procedure?

67% of ordinary legislative procedure files are concluded during the first reading.

What is the role of the conciliation committee?

The conciliation committee is convened when the Council and the Parliament cannot agree on legislation after the second reading. It aims to find a compromise between the two institutions.

What other procedures are used for specific cases in EU legislation?

In addition to the ordinary legislative procedure, the consent procedure and the consultation procedure are also used for specific cases.

How does EU legislation become incorporated into national law?

Once EU legislation is adopted, some types are directly applicable, while others may take some time to become law at the national level, depending on the nature of the legislation.

How do ministers manage to hold their national jobs and work in the Council of the EU?

Ministers can hold their national jobs and sit in the Council with the help of the Permanent Representatives Committee (COREPER), which prepares and coordinates the Council's work. There are also over 150 working parties and committees that assist the ministers.

What is the role of COREPER in the decision-making process of the Council of the EU?

COREPER is made up of member state representatives and is responsible for preparing and coordinating the work of the Council of the EU. It plays a key role in streamlining the decision-making process.