Who does what in the European Union: who proposes, who votes, who judges?
Two different bodies both have "Council" in their name, and only one of them can pass laws. Here is how the EU's seven institutions divide the work.
▶ Start the storyThe European Union divides its work among seven institutions, and the easiest way to remember the main four is: the Commission proposes, the Parliament and the Council decide, and the Court of Justice checks. The treaties list seven institutions in all, adding the European Council, the European Central Bank and the Court of Auditors.
The European Commission is the EU's executive cabinet, with one Commissioner per member state. They swear an oath to represent the interest of the EU as a whole rather than their home state. It holds the , which means that formally only the Commission can start the legislative procedure. The European Parliament and the Council can ask it to, but not do it themselves.
The European Parliament and the Council of the European Union then adopt the laws together. The Parliament has 720 members elected directly by EU citizens every five years, since 1979. The Council is made up of national ministers, who change depending on the subject: agriculture ministers for farming, finance ministers for budgets. In most areas both must agree for a proposal to pass.
Step 1: The Commission proposes
It holds the
Step 2: Parliament and Council decide
In most areas both must agree
Step 3: The Court of Justice checks
It oversees how EU law is applied and interpreted
The Court of Justice of the European Union is the chief judicial authority, overseeing the uniform application and interpretation of EU law together with national courts.
A common mix-up is the European Council, a different body made of heads of state or government. It has no legislative power but sets the overall political direction. Its name is easy to confuse with the Council of the EU, and the structure as a whole grew through treaties without one clear master plan.
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Recap
Commission proposes, Parliament and Council decide, Court of Justice checks, European Council steers.
💡 A trick to remember it · Think of a relay: the Commission hands the baton, two runners must cross the line together, and the Court is the judge at the finish.
Surprising fact · The European Council (national leaders) and the Council of the EU (ministers) are different bodies; only the second legislates.
Connects to
Sources (7)
No source, no claim. Every fact in this lesson (14 claims) cites at least one of these.