Politics of the European Union: Important Things to Know

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 The European Union (EU) has become an integral part of global politics, yet many people are unaware of the political dynamics at play in the European Union. Politics can be a complicated and confusing topic, but it is important to know the basics to stay up to date. This article will provide an overview of the European Union’s political systems and processes, important legal documents, governing bodies, and much more. Through understanding the EU’s politics, it becomes clear why the EU’s political processes are so integral in the global community and why it is important to know the basics.

Political and Legal Foundations

Fundamental Legal Documents
The European Union is founded on a number of legal documents:

• The Treaty of Rome (1957): Established the European Economic Community, and laid out the basic principles of the European Union.
• Single European Act (1986): Broadened the scope of the EEC to include other policies such as trade and the free movement of people.
• Maastricht Treaty (1992): Expanded the scope of the EU to include economic and monetary union and the introduction of the Euro (more commonly known as the “€”).
• Treaty of Amsterdam (1997): Expanded the EU’s competences in areas such as immigration and asylum, and introduced the concept of European citizenship.
• Treaty of Nice (2001): Further enhanced the EU’s competence, introducing qualified majority voting in the Council of Ministers.
• Treaty of Lisbon (2007): Significantly strengthened the European Parliament and the democratic nature of the EU.

Institutions of the European Union 

The European Union consists of several key institutions responsible for the Union’s decision-making. These institutions are:

• European Parliament: The EU’s parliamentary body, made up of elected Members of the European Parliament (MEPs).
• European Commission: The executive body of the EU, responsible for proposing legislation and enforcing the EU’s decisions.
• Council of Ministers: The primary decision-making body of the EU, made up of representatives from the governments of each member state.
• European Court of Justice: The supreme court of the EU, responsible for interpreting and enforcing EU law and treaties.

Political Dynamics 

The European Union can be a complex and often confusing political institution to understand. To make sense of the EU’s decision-making it is essential to understand the political dynamics at play.

Descision-Making Process 

The European Union operates on the principle of “qualified majority voting”, whereby a majority of the Council of Ministers must agree in order for a decision to be passed. In practice, this means that the larger member states have more power when it comes to decision making, as they have more votes to cast.

Legislative Procedure 

In order for legislation to be passed, it must go through a number of steps:

• Proposal Stage: A proposal for new legislation is put forward by the European Commission.
• Consultation Stage: The Council of Ministers and the European Parliament discuss and amend the proposal.
• Adoption Stage: The Council of Ministers and the European Parliament agree on a final version of the legislation.
• Implementation Stage: The legislation is put into effect by the European Commission.

Influence of Member States 

The member states of the EU wield significant influence over the Union’s decision-making process. Member states are able to suggest and lobby for legislation, as well as having a direct say in the Council of Ministers. This means that the preferences of individual member states can often shape the policies adopted by the EU.

The European Union is a complex political entity, but its political dynamics are essential to understand in order to stay up to date in the global community. This article has provided a brief overview of the EU’s legal documents, institutions, decision-making process and the influence of its member states. Through understanding the EU’s political system, it becomes clear why the EU’s political processes are so important in the global community.

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