Question 1

What is the difference between the European Council and the Council of the European Union?

Accepted Answer

The European Council consists of the heads of state or government of the 27 member states and focuses on setting the long-term political direction and strategic priorities, such as the Strategic Agenda for 2024–2029. It does not pass laws but defines the "what" and "why" of EU policy. In contrast, the Council of the European Union, often just called "the Council," is the engine room where national ministers meet in various configurations to perform the actual legislative work. It acts as an upper house that votes on and hammers out the specific details of laws and the budget.

Question 2

How does Qualified Majority Voting (QMV) balance power between large and small member states?

Accepted Answer

Qualified Majority Voting uses a "double majority" rule to ensure that decisions have broad support across the Union. To pass a proposal, 55% of member states (15 out of 27) must vote in favor, and those states must represent at least 65% of the total EU population. This mechanism is designed to prevent a few large countries from dominating the process while also preventing a group of small countries from forcing through legislation that the majority of the EU population does not support.

Question 3

Why is the European Commission referred to as the "Guardian of the Treaties"?

Accepted Answer

The Commission earns this title because it is responsible for ensuring that all member states and private businesses correctly implement and follow EU law. If a country or entity violates environmental standards, competition law, or other regulations, the Commission has the authority to take them to the European Court of Justice. Beyond enforcement, the Commission also holds the "right of initiative," meaning it is the only institution that can formally propose new legislation, which it then manages and implements once passed.

Question 4

How does the European Parliament represent the interests of EU citizens?

Accepted Answer

The European Parliament is the only directly elected multi-national assembly in the world, with members (MEPs) elected every five years. Instead of sitting by nationality, MEPs are organized into political groups based on their ideological affiliations, such as the Greens or the EPP. The Parliament exercises "supervisory power" by holding the Commission accountable, which includes the authority to approve the Commission President and the power to dismiss the entire Commission through a motion of censure.

Question 5

What is the "legislative triangle" and how does it function?

Accepted Answer

The legislative triangle is the collaborative process between the Commission, the Council of the EU, and the European Parliament. It typically follows the "Ordinary Legislative Procedure," where the Commission proposes a law, and the Parliament and the Council must both negotiate and agree on the exact same text through a series of readings. This system of checks and balances ensures that every law has technical legitimacy from the Commission, democratic legitimacy from the Parliament, and national government legitimacy from the Council.

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