Institutions

The Main Institutions of the EU

• The European Parliament

  The European Parliament (EP) is the political control body of the EU and the only directly elected institution. Since 1979, its Members have been directly elected by the citizens of the Member States for five-year terms. The main tasks of the Parliament are:

  • participation in legislation
  • democratic control rights
  • approval of the EU budget

• The European Council

  The European Council is the political governing body of the European Union. The European Council is composed of the heads of state or government of the member states, the President of the European Council and the President of the European Commission. The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy also participates. The task of the European Council is to provide the necessary impetus for the development of the European Union and to define general political objectives.

  It is headed by the President. Members of the European Council elect the President by a qualified majority for a term of two and a half years. Re-election is possible. The European Council is not to be confused with the Council of the European Union.

• The Council of the European Union

  The Council of the European Union is the most powerful decision-making body of the EU. All participating member states are represented by one minister each. The composition depends on the respective subject areas, so there are no permanent Council members (e. g. the Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN), the Foreign Affairs Council, the Agriculture and Fisheries Council, the Environment Council, etc.). As Council members, they report to the national parliaments.

• The European Commission

  The European Commission is considered the "engine of the Union" and has the (legislative) right of initiative. The Commission submits proposals for Union law, policies, and action programs to the Council of the EU and the European Parliament (EP). As the "guardian of the treaties," it is responsible for implementing the decisions of the EP and the Council.

• The Court of Justice of the European Union

  The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) is the EU's judicial body. It ensures the lawful interpretation of EU law throughout the EU area. The Court ensures that the Member States comply with the obligations arising from the Treaties. It interprets EU law at the request of national courts.

• The European Central Bank

  The European Central Bank (ECB), headquartered in Frankfurt am Main, is the central body of the eurozone. This monetary union within the EU currently consists of 19 Members. It is responsible for the stability of the European currency, the euro, and determines the amount of money available. The ECB is tasked with ensuring price stability in Europe (low inflation) and setting key interest rates in such a way that sustained economic growth and high employment levels are possible. Its independence from the Member States is guaranteed by numerous treaty provisions.

• The European Court of Auditors

  The European Court of Auditors, based in Luxembourg, is also known as the "financial conscience of the EU." Autonomous in its choice of audit subject and audit method, the Court carries out its control activities in complete independence.

• Advisory Bodies

  The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) and the Committee of the Regions (CoR) play an advisory role in the European legislative process.

• Other EU Institutions

  • The European Ombudsman (Ombudsperson)
  • The European Data Protection Supervisor
  • European Investment Bank

• Further Entities

  EU Agencies:

  • EUROJUST to improve the coordination of the competent judicial authorities of the EU Member States in the prosecution of serious cross-border and organized crime
  • EUROPOL, the European Police Office
  • OLAF, the European Anti-Fraud Office
  • FRONTEX, the European Agency for the Management of Operational Cooperation at the External Borders of the Member States of the European Union

  An overview of all agencies can be found here.