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European Union law - Powers of the EU

6 important questions on European Union law - Powers of the EU

What is the role of the European Commission?

The European Commission promotes the general interest of the EU by proposing and enforcing legislation.

What is the role of the Council of the European Union? Who does the Council consist of?

The Council of the European Union consist of the government ministers of each State within the EU. The Council's job is to discuss, amend and adopt laws. The adoption of a law happens in a co-decision with the European Parliament.

What is the job of the European Parliament?

The European Parliament is the law-making body of the EU and adopts laws of the EU in co-decision with the Council of the European Union. The members are directly elected.

What is the role of the European Council? (NOT Council of the EU) Who are its members?

The European Council also consists (like the Council of the EU) of the head of governments in the individual EU member states. The European Council sets the political agenda for the EU.

What is the role of the Court of Justice of the European Union?

The Court of Justice ensures that EU legislation is interpreted and applied in the same way in all EU member states. It also has the power to settle disputes between member states, EU institutions, businesses and individuals.

What options do individuals within the EU if they have suffered damage as a result of an action made by an institution of the EU or its staff?

They have two options; they can go indirectly through the national court in their own country who then can refer to the case to the Court of Justice. They can also go directly before the General Court if they have been affected directly and individually by the action of an EU institution or its staff .