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THE ORIGINS OF THE EU AND THE EU INSTITUTIONS - The EU's political institutions

5 important questions on THE ORIGINS OF THE EU AND THE EU INSTITUTIONS - The EU's political institutions

How does the Commission function?

The key feature is that it functions completely independent and cannot take instructions from governments or any other body. Its independence does not constrain other EU institutions as regards whether to accept Commission proposals, nor does it prevent the application of rules which provide that a individual Commissioner can be fired. The High representative is an exception and is accountable to the Council.

What is the EP's composition?

The EP has 751 seats, that are allocated on the basis of 'degressive proportionality'. No Member State has more than 96 of less dan 6 seats. After the Brexit it can have 705 MEP's in total. Elections are held every 5 years. The Netherlands has 29 MEP's.

How does the EP function?

Link between the EP and Commission is weak. EP doesn't need to support the Commission as a government of the EU, because removal of the Commission will not lead to early elections to the EP. A consequence is that there are political groups instead of majority and opposition parties. Each group decides to vote in favor of the Commission's proposal or not (case-by-case basis).
Large numbers of political groups often work together to achieve the necessary majorities, even if these groups would never form a coalition.
Day to day work is largely carried out in committees.

How is the European Council composed?

It consists of prime ministers and presidents of the Member States. The European Council has a president (for 2,5 years by QMV, art. 15(5) TEU), but he has limited powers. He can't vote, doesn't have veto and is seen as the chair of the meetings.

How does the European Council function?

The European Council must act by consensus unless Treaties provide otherwise (art. 15(4) TEU). Treaties frequently provide otherwise. The meetings are not public but do attract a lot of press and public attention.

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Topics that are related to THE ORIGINS OF THE EU AND THE EU INSTITUTIONS - The EU's political institutions

THE ORIGINS OF THE EU AND THE EU INSTITUTIONS - The EU's political institutions - The Council

THE ORIGINS OF THE EU AND THE EU INSTITUTIONS - The EU's political institutions

5 important questions on THE ORIGINS OF THE EU AND THE EU INSTITUTIONS - The EU's political institutions

How does the Commission function?

What is the EP's composition?

How does the EP function?

How is the European Council composed?

How does the European Council function?

Topics that are related to THE ORIGINS OF THE EU AND THE EU INSTITUTIONS - The EU's political institutions

THE ORIGINS OF THE EU AND THE EU INSTITUTIONS - The EU's political institutions - The Council

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