European Parliament: It is the EU’s law-making body, directly elected by EU voters. It has legislative, supervisory, and budgetary responsibilities. It works with the Council of the EU to pass EU laws, based on proposals from the European Commission.
Council of the European Union: Also known as the Council, it is the voice of EU member governments, adopting EU laws and coordinating EU policies. Ministers from each EU country meet to discuss, amend, and adopt laws, and have the authority to commit their governments to the actions agreed upon in the meetings.
European Commission: This is the EU’s politically independent executive arm, responsible for proposing and enforcing legislation, as well as implementing policies and the EU budget. It manages EU policies, allocates EU funding, enforces EU law, and represents the EU internationally
Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU): Ensures that EU law is interpreted and applied the same in every EU country and that countries and EU institutions abide by EU law. It settles legal disputes between national governments and EU institutions and can be used by individuals or organizations to take action against an EU institution
European Central Bank (ECB): The central bank for the eurozone, responsible for maintaining price stability by setting key interest rates and controlling the union’s money supply. It is the sole issuer of euro banknotes and manages the eurozone’s foreign currency reserves.
European Court of Auditors (ECA): As the EU’s independent external auditor, the ECA checks that EU funds are collected and used correctly, and helps improve EU financial management. It reports on EU finances and provides audit reports for the European Commission and national governments.
Who is more powerful in these body and why?
Determining which EU institution is the “most powerful” can be complex because power within the EU is not centralized but rather distributed among various bodies, each with its own functions and influence. However, some sources suggest that the Council of the European Union (often simply called the Council) can be considered as the most powerful institution within the EU framework because it has:
Legislative Power: The Council is the main body responsible for passing EU laws, often in cooperation with the European Parliament. It has the final say on most legislative matters.
Budgetary Authority: Alongside the European Parliament, the Council has significant control over the EU’s budget, which includes setting long-term spending priorities and approving annual budgets.
Decision-Making: The Council makes decisions that have a direct impact on member states and their citizens, such as those related to economic policy, foreign affairs, and security.
Representation of Member States: The Council represents the governments of the member states, thus holding the authority of the national executives, which gives it a considerable degree of influence.
It’s important to note that while the Council has significant powers, the other institutions also play crucial roles within their respective domains. The European Commission, for example, is the only body that can propose EU legislation, and the European Parliament has gained increasing legislative powers over time. The balance of power is designed to ensure a system of checks and balances among the institutions.
The effectiveness of each institution can also depend on the context and the specific issues being addressed. For instance, the European Commission might wield more influence in day-to-day operations and policy implementation, while the European Parliament’s power is more evident in legislative processes and democratic oversight.
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