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The governments of the member countries are represented in the EU by two Institutions that complete each other: first of all the European Council, which includes the Heads of state or government of the member countries, and secondly the Council of the European Union, which includes the Ministers of the same countries.
The European Council sets the EU's political agenda. It represents the highest level of political cooperation between EU countries.
The following table provides a better understanding of the differences between these two institutions.
The European Council sets the EU's political agenda. It represents the highest level of political cooperation between EU countries.
The following table provides a better understanding of the differences between these two institutions.
European CouncilRole It determines the general political direction an priorities of the EU
MembersHeads of state or government of EU countries, European Council President and European Commission
President(2020) Charles Michel
Established in1974 (informal forum), 1992 (formal status), 2009 (official EU institution)
LocationBrussels
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Council of the European UnionRoleVoice of EU member governments
MembersGovernment ministers from each EU country, according to the policy area to be discussed
PresidentEach country holds the presidency on a 6-month rotating basis
Established in1958 (as Council of the European Economic Community)
LocationBrussels
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What do they do?
It decides on the EU's overall direction and political priorities but does neither negotiate nor pass laws; furthermore it deals with complex issues that cannot be resolved at lower levels of intergovernmental cooperation.
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It negotiates and adopts EU laws, together with the European Parliament, based on proposals from the European Commission, coordinates EU countries' policies, concludes agreements between the EU and foreign countries or international organisations.
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Composition
Heads of state or government of all EU countries; its president is elected by the European Council every two years and an half; he/she represents then Europe to the outside world.
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There are no fixed members. It meets in 10 different configurations, each corresponding to the policy area being discussed. The Foreign Affairs Council has a permanent chairperson (Josep Borrell Fontelles since 1st December 2019), who remains in charge for 5 years. All other meetings are chaired by the relevant minister of the country holding the rotating EU presidency (Croatia between January and June 2020).
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How do they work?
It usually meets 4 times a year but the President can convene additional meetings in case there are urgent issues to be addressed. It generally decides issues by consensus (the President pronounces the formula Is there any objection? If not, it is so approved).
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Decisions usually require a qualified majority to be passed, that is 55% of countries (15 out of 27 members) representing at least 65% of total EU population. Sensitive topics may require a unanimous vote, while a simple majority (14 out of 27 members) is required for administrative issues.
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Sources of content:
europa.eu/european-union/about-eu/institutions-bodies/european-council_en
https://europa.eu/european-union/about-eu/institutions-bodies/council-eu_en
europa.eu/european-union/about-eu/institutions-bodies/european-council_en
https://europa.eu/european-union/about-eu/institutions-bodies/council-eu_en
Image attributions:
www.flickr.com/photos/eeas/32978511020
https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Former_logo_of_the_European_Council_and_Council_of_the_European_Union_(2007).svg
www.flickr.com/photos/eeas/32978511020
https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Former_logo_of_the_European_Council_and_Council_of_the_European_Union_(2007).svg
Selection, design and game by:
Matteo Bello (Liceo Classico e Linguistico "F. Petrarca", Trieste, Italy, 2020)
Matteo Bello (Liceo Classico e Linguistico "F. Petrarca", Trieste, Italy, 2020)