How the EU takes decisions
- 1. DECISIONS IN THE UE How the EU takes decisions
- 2. Decision-making • Diferent institutions: the European Parliament (EP/Parliament). the Council of the European Union. the European Commission.
- 3. European Commission proposes new legislation The Council and Parliament pass the laws. Some cases, the Council can act alone
- 4. The main forms of EU law • Directives and regulations Directives establish a Regulations are common aim for all directly applicable member states throughout the EU •Leave it to •Without any national authorities adition by the to decide member state.
- 5. The rules and procedures Are laid down ‘legal basis’ in the Treaties.
- 6. Legislative procedure • The three main procedures are: ‘co-decision’, ‘consultation’ ‘the assent’.
- 7. CO-DECISION
- 9. CO-DECISION • This procedure is as follows • The Commission presents a proposal for a legislative FIRST act • This is presented to the European Parliament and SECOND the Council.
- 10. First reading • Parliament adopts its position at first reading. – There is no time limit • Prepares a draft report is then discussed within the political groups . • Parliament adopts its position by a simple majority
- 11. POSIBILITIES If the Parliament´s If Parliament adopts position does not its position with contain any amendments: amendments The act is If the Council approves all the amendments and does not adopted by the change the original is adopted Council by by the Council qualified majority • Signed and published. If the Council does not approve all the amendments or rejects It is published in them the Official • It is forwarded to Parliament for its second reading. Journal.
- 12. Second reading • Parliament examines the Council position – time limit of 3 months • It may: – approve the Council position o Is adopted – reject the Council position o Is closed definitively – propose amendments to the Council position
- 13. Second reading • Propose amendments to the Council position – The Council has 3 months to act. If the Council approves all Parliament's • The act is adopted If the Council does not accept all Parliament's amendments: • Start the Conciliation procedure
- 14. Conciliation and third reading • A conciliation committee is called. There are: Representatives of the 27 Member States. Equal number of Members of the European Parliament. • The committee considers The Council position Parliament’s amendments from the second reading o It has six weeks
- 15. It may: If the conciliation If the conciliation committee does not agree committee approves the with the text. joint text The Council and The procedure is Parliament have six terminated weeks to approve it. It is aproved
- 16. CONSULTATION
- 17. Consultation • Is used in areas such as agriculture, taxation and competition • There are a proposal from the Commission • The Council consults: – Parliament, – The European Economic and Social Committee – The Committee of the Regions.
- 18. Consultation Parliament approve the Commission reject it, or ask for may: amendments. proposal, If Parliament Commission will send the Council consider all the If it not acept asks for changes suggestions an amended proposal. amendments suggests. which either The decision adopts the or amends it Finally ultimately rests amended further. with the Council proposal
- 19. THE ASSENT
- 20. The assent • Means that the Council has to obtain the European Parliament’s assent – Because there are very important decisions • The procedure is the same as in the case of consultation but: – Parliament cannot amend a proposal, they can: • accept • reject it
- 21. The assent • The assent procedure is mostly used –for agreements with other countries • including the agreements allowing new countries to join the EU.