Article Lelieveldt and Princen

The European Union (EU) comprises a range of institutions, each with distinct roles and
functions. Understanding the composition, appointment, and tasks of these institutions
is crucial for comprehending the EU's complex decision-making process and
governance structure. Here, we delve into the key European institutions you provided
information about:

European Commission: The European Commission is a supranational body serving as

the executive branch of the EU. It consists of 27 commissioners, one from each member
state. These commissioners, although often possessing national political backgrounds,
act as a hybrid between a government and a civil service. The President of the European
Commission, currently Ursula von der Leyen, is proposed by the European Council and
elected by a majority of the European Parliament.

The Commission has several pivotal tasks. It is responsible for proposing legislation to
the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers, setting objectives and priorities
for EU actions, managing and implementing EU policies and budgets, and representing
the EU in external affairs, including treaty negotiations. The Commission's role is
fundamental to the EU's legislative and executive functions.

European Parliament: The European Parliament is the EU's directly elected legislative
body. It comprises 705 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), elected by EU
citizens for five-year terms. The President of the European Parliament, currently
Roberta Metsola from Malta, is responsible for leading its proceedings. This institution
operates as a supranational body.

The Parliament's tasks encompass various critical functions. It plays a central role in the
appointment and potential dismissal of the European Commission, with the authority to
do so granted since 1993. Additionally, the Parliament serves as a co-legislator
alongside the Council of Ministers, deciding on the EU budget, and exercising
supervision and control over EU institutions. However, it does not possess the power to
appoint or dismiss the Council of Ministers or propose legislation.

Council of Ministers: The Council of Ministers is a pivotal EU institution that

represents national interests. It comprises ministers from each of the 27 member states,
and the presidency rotates every six months among member states, with Spain holding
the position at the moment. The COREPER (Committee of Permanent Representatives)
serves as the permanent representation of member states in the EU.

This institution is entrusted with numerous vital tasks, including negotiating and
adopting EU laws, often through co-decision with the European Parliament. The
Council of Ministers also coordinates national policies, develops the Common Foreign
and Security Policy, and negotiates and concludes international agreements. Decisions
within the Council often require a qualified majority vote, involving at least 55% of
member states representing 65% of the EU population.

European Council: The European Council plays a unique role in the EU's political
landscape. Comprising the heads of government or state from all member states, it
balances supranational guidelines with national interests during negotiations. The
European Council meets at least four times per year and has a President, currently
Charles Michel, chosen by its members for a 2.5-year term.

The European Council is responsible for setting the general agenda and guidelines for
the EU. Decisions within this institution are usually made by consensus, making it a
crucial entity for shaping EU policies and initiatives. It exerts informal but significant
influence as the main agenda-setter for the EU. The High Representative of the Union
for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, currently Josep Borrell, deals with foreign
policy matters on behalf of the EU.

European Court of Justice: The European Court of Justice (ECJ) is the EU's highest
judicial authority, serving as a supranational judicial court. Comprising 27 judges, one
from each member state, they are appointed by their respective governments for six-
year terms, which are renewable. A notable feature of the ECJ is its accessibility, with
all EU languages used in its proceedings.

The primary responsibilities of the ECJ include reviewing the legality of EU acts,
ensuring compliance with EU law, and upholding the doctrine of supremacy. This
doctrine dictates that the ECJ's decisions take precedence over domestic court decisions
within the EU, reinforcing the EU's legal unity and uniform interpretation of EU law.

In summary, these European institutions work together within the EU's complex
framework to ensure supranational governance, democratic representation, and the
implementation of EU policies and legislation. Understanding their roles and
interactions is essential for grasping the functioning of the European Union.

Questions chapter Lelieveldt & Princen.

1. For each institution, national and supranational (European) interests play a role.

The European Council, which consists of the heads of state and government of the EU member
states, plays a central role in representing both national and supranational interests. National interests
take centre stage as leaders develop domestic policy plans, advocate for policies that directly benefit
their country, and use their veto power to protect their priorities. This institution embodies the
delicate balance between national and supranational interests that require negotiation and
compromise to find solutions acceptable to all member states and strengthen the EU's spirit of
cooperation at the supranational level.

The European Commission is the institution responsible for proposing and implementing laws and
policies. While member states appoint commissioners, they should act in the interests of the EU and
put supranational interests ahead of national interests. However, member states can influence the
Commission through the election of commissioners and their influence on policy.

The European Parliament is directly elected by EU citizens and represents the EU's supranational
interests. MEPs work to shape laws that benefit the EU as a whole, although they may bring national
perspectives into debates and negotiations. The Parliament seeks to reach compromises that serve the
common European interest while respecting national diversity.

The European Court of Justice guarantees uniform interpretation and application of EU law. The
way it prioritizes supranational interests is by protecting EU legal principles rather than national
ones. However, when Member States or individuals bring proceedings before the European Court of
Justice, national interests may be also relevant.

The European Central Bank mainly focuses on the monetary policy and stability of the euro in the
eurozone. This institution works together with the national banks of the member states, thereby
supporting economic growth and job creation.

Court of Auditors: Verify that EU funds are collected and used correctly and help improve EU
financial management. As the EU's independent external audit agency, the European Court of
Auditors (ECA) protects the interests of EU taxpayers. It has no legal powers but is working to
improve the European Commission's management of the EU budget and EU financial reporting.
While its main role is to protect supranational interests by ensuring the correct use of EU funds,
national interests also come into play when auditing member states' financial management, affecting
their finances and accountability within the EU.

2. List the name and post of the politician of your member state in the European
Commission and write it down.

The European Commission is the executive body of the EU. Decides the political and strategic
priorities of the Union. It is based in Brussels. Josep Borrell Fontelles (Spain) Commission Vice-
President in charge of coordinating the external action of the European Union. It is the president of
the European commission who selects the possible vice presidents and commissioners based on
proposals from the member states. All heads of State or Government meeting in the European
Council must approve the list of candidates. (European Union. (s.f.). Página de inicio de la Unión
Europea. European Union. https://european-union.europa.eu/select-language?destination=/node/1)

Josep Borrell is well-known Spanish politician with wide experience inf foreign relations and
European politics, he has also served as Spain's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Public
Works and Transport, and President of the European Parliament. His diplomatic background and
expertise make him one of the most suitable candidates for the position of High Representative.

ON the other hand, Spain has a vested interest in one of its politicians taking on important roles such
as High Representative to the European Union. It enables Spain to impact EU foreign policy
decisions and safeguard its national interests on the European stage. (Ministerio de Hacienda y
Función Pública. (s.f.). Comisión Europea. https://www.hacienda.gob.es/es-ES/Areas
%20Tematicas/Internacional/Union%20Europea/Paginas/Comision.aspx)

3. ‘democratic deficit’. Does Europeanisation lead to a democratic deficit? Is that a

problem? ¿Solutions?

'Democratic deficit' is utilized to describe a situation where the governance system and its decision-
making processes may experience a shortage of democracy and responsibility. When it comes to the
European Union (EU), this refers to a perceived inadequacy of accessibility or representation for the
common citizen in relation to the EU's institutions. This results in a feeling of a disconnect between
the powers of those entities and a perceived incapacity of citizens to impact the decisions made by
said institutions.

A significant factor contributing to the EU's current state is the convoluted and lengthy decision-
making procedures of its institutions. These processes are often conducted in secrecy, leaving
citizens with the impression that they lack a voice in the matter. A possible solution to this
democratic deficit is exactly what CoFoE (Conference on the Future of Europe) participants
suggested the inclusion of citizens’ assemblies in the decision-making process. If implemented
correctly, they add legitimacy to the process and can produce very positive results.