EU institutions

The European Parliament, the Council of the European Union and the Commission together make EU laws and regulations. The European Council draws up guidelines for the EU’s work. The European Court of Justice interprets EU law and the Court of Auditors audits the accounts.

Photo: Foto: JANERIK HENRIKSSON/SCANPIX

European Parliament

The European Parliament is the EU’s only directly elected institution. The Members of the European Parliament represent their constituents from their own political point of view.
The European Parliament passes new laws together with the Council, based on proposals from the Commission, approves the EU budget and ensures that the Commission and the Council meet their obligations under the EU treaties.
The European Parliament meets in Strasbourg and in Brussels. The entire Parliament meets in Strasbourg around once a month. Extra meetings and meetings of the Parliament's committees take place in Brussels. The administration department is in Luxembourg.
In the 2009-2014 electoral period, the European Parliament has 736 Members. If the Lisbon Treaty comes into force, the European Parliament will have 751 Members.
Council of the European Union
The Council of the European Union represents the interests of the Member States in EU cooperation. It passes new EU laws and signs international agreements on the EU's behalf. The Council often shares the power of decision with the European Parliament.
The Presidency of the Council rotates between the Member States on a half-yearly basis. The country holding the Presidency also presides in the European Council and in working groups under the Council of the European Union. The Presidency’s job is to lead the work of the Council, to represent the Council in relations with other EU institutions and to represent the EU to the rest of the world.
The Council is composed of one minister from each Member State. Which minister attends a meeting varies depending on what issue is being discussed. For example, the EU's finance ministers discuss EU economic policy while ministers for justice deal with police cooperation.
The Council usually meets in Brussels. During April, June and October, its meetings are held in Luxembourg.
European Commission
The European Commission represents the whole of the EU. Its job is to propose new laws, enforce EU decisions and ensure that the Member States follow EU laws and regulations. In addition, the Commission manages the EU budget. 
The Commission is composed of one Commissioner from each Member State. The Commissioners must not act on instruction from their home countries or from other EU institutions.
The Commissioners are appointed by the Member States' heads of state and government and are approved by the European Parliament before they take office.
European Council
The European Council brings together the heads of state or government of the Member States and the President of the Commission. It sets guidelines for the EU’s work but is not formally an EU institution. The European Council meets at a summit in Brussels at least twice a year.
The EC Court of Justice
The Court of Justice of the European Communities judges in disputes involving Community law. These disputes can be between the EU countries and the EU institutions, between different EU institutions, or, less often, between EU countries.
By means of ‘preliminary rulings’, the Court gives guidance to national courts on how EU law should be interpreted. Private individuals cannot appeal judgements from national courts to the Court of Justice.
The Court of Justice comprises one judge from each Member State.
Court of Auditors
The Court of Auditors audits the EU institutions’ accounts and administration. The Court of Auditors has one member from each of the EU countries.
Committee of the Regions and European Economic and Social Committee
The Committee of the Regions represents regional and local interests in the EU. The Committee advises the EU institutions and issues opinions on legislative matters. The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) advises the EU institutions and issues opinions on legislative matters relating to economic and social issues.

The EU Presidency in Sweden

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