European institutions EN

European institutions

IN the blink of an eye

SUMMARY

Below are short explanations of the key European Union institutions: the European Parliament, the European Commission, the European Council (Council of Ministers), and the European Court of Justice.

1. The European Parliament

The European Parliament (EP) is the directly elected legislative body of the European Union. Comprising Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) from all EU member states, it plays a crucial role in shaping European legislation. The Parliament has the power to propose, amend, and adopt laws in cooperation with the Council of Ministers. Additionally, it controls the EU budget and holds the European Commission accountable, approving or rejecting its members. The EP serves as the voice of EU citizens, ensuring that their interests are represented at the European level.

2. The European Commission

The European Commission acts as the executive arm of the European Union, responsible for proposing legislation, implementing policies, and managing the day-to-day operations of the EU. Composed of Commissioners—one from each member state—the Commission initiates new laws and oversees their enforcement within member countries. It also ensures that EU treaties are upheld and manages the EU budget. As the guardian of the treaties, the Commission plays a pivotal role in promoting the interests of the EU as a whole, rather than individual member states.

3. European Council (Council of Ministers)

The European Council, often referred to as the Council of Ministers or simply the Council, is the body that represents the governments of the EU member states. It consists of ministers from each member country who gather to discuss and adopt policies on various issues, ranging from economic to international relations. The Council works in conjunction with the European Parliament to negotiate and finalize legislation. It also sets the overall political direction and priorities of the EU, making it a key player in shaping the Union's future.

4. European Court of Justice (ECJ)

The European Court of Justice (ECJ) is the judicial institution of the European Union, tasked with ensuring that EU law is interpreted and applied consistently across all member states. It resolves legal disputes involving EU law, including cases brought by EU institutions, member states, and individuals. The ECJ plays a fundamental role in upholding the rule of law in the EU, addressing issues such as the validity of EU legislation and resolving conflicts between national and EU law. Its decisions are binding, thereby shaping the legal landscape of the EU and ensuring compliance with its treaties.

CONCLUSIONS

This presentation is just a brief summary about the missions of the European Union institutions. It is published with Creative Commons Licence International 4.0 Attribution - Share Alike. That means that you can own a copy, modifie it according to the needs of your audience, and redistribute it. The only obligation is to mention our name as firt creator and provide a link to this presentation.

The content of this presentation has been created with the assistance of Open AI 4.0 - Marco Bertolini.

5. Test your knowledge

INTERACTIVE QUESTION

Multiple choice

INTERACTIVE QUESTION

True or false

INTERACTIVE QUESTION

Multiple choice

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Presentation - Marco Bertolini for Formation 3.0 asbl Creative Commons 4.0 - Attribution - Share Alike