European Council and Decision-Making in the EU

Study Notes

European Council

Established in 1969 at The Hague Summit
Formalized its operation in 1974
First appeared in a legal document in 1986 with the Single European Act
Institution of the EU as per the Lisbon Treaty in 2009
Highest-level representation of Member States (MS)

Key Functions

Strategic decision-making
Institutional and policy reforms
Political strategy
Foreign policy and defence
Highest decision-making forum
Appointment of key positions (European Commission, European Central Bank, President of the European Council)

Decision-making Process

Unanimous decision-making by default
2 meetings per presidency (6 months)
One of the oldest institutions of integration
Representation of Member States
Preparation and management of compromise
Decision-making and lawmaking

Ordinary and Special Legislative Procedures

Ordinary legislative procedure
Special legislative procedure
Majoritarian/unanimous decision-making

Council of the European Union

10 different formations
Each MS head of department forms the Council of ...
Permanent consultation among Member States
Presidency: key goals and ongoing issues
Permanent input-output interactions in the system
Member State parliament's scrutiny over government: document-based model and mandating model

European Council

Established in 1969 at The Hague Summit
Formalized its operation in 1974
First appeared in a legal document in 1986 with the Single European Act
Institutionalized as an EU institution with the Lisbon Treaty in 2009
Inter- and supranational forum for highest-level representation of Member States (MS)
Strategic decision-making, key institutional and policy reforms, and political strategy
Responsible for foreign policy and defense
Highest decision-making forum in the EU
Key positions include the European Commission, European Central Bank, and President of the European Council
Unanimous decision-making by default, with 2 meetings per presidency (6 months)
One of the oldest institutions of integration, with MS representation
Prepares and manages compromises, and facilitates decision-making and lawmaking

Decision-Making Processes

Ordinary legislative procedure
Special legislative procedure
Majoritarian/unanimous decision-making

Council of the European Union

Comprises 10 different formations, each with a MS head of department
Each formation is referred to as the Council of [specific area]
Characterized by permanent consultation among MSs
Presidency has key goals and ongoing issues
Features permanent input-output interactions in the system
MS parliaments have scrutiny over their governments through a document-based model
Original proposals are discussed, and government positions are mandated

Structural Background

Council supported by COREPER II and COREPER I
Special committees and working groups
Member State governments and permanent representations are involved in the decision-making process

Description

This quiz covers the origins and key functions of the European Council, including its role in strategic decision-making, policy reforms, and foreign policy and defence. It also touches on the Single European Act and the Lisbon Treaty.