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Council of the EU

4 important questions on Council of the EU

On what majority does the Council makes it decision normally, and what is the double majority? Does it sometimes decide under unanimity to art. 16 para 3 TEU?

Qualified majority (except where Treaties provide otherwise). Double majority of 15 out of 27 MS (55%) representing at least 65% of population of Union. Blocking minority: min 4 MS.

Where does the representative on Council directly respond to and what is its main committee?

Responsible to national parliament and National Council is its main committee. Sometimes acquires approval by Federal Council. The representative are not absolutely binding.

What is the participation of the federal provinces in the Council and how does the formulation and decision making process of an opinion goes?

Provinces can formulate an opinion, binding is relative. Decision making process of the opinion: provinces have transferred right of legislation to the federal government.

The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy

§In the failed European Constitution (TCE) called „The Union Minister for Foreign Affairs“
§„double-hatting“
-Chair in the Foreign Affairs Council
§no right to vote
-Vice-President of the Commission
§Head of the European External Action Service (EEAS)
§takes part in deliberations of the European Council
§In relation to
-President of the European Council: the external representationCFSP „at his level“
-Commission: the external representation beyond the CFSP
§acting as a College!

The question on the page originate from the summary of the following study material:

2. Institutions

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