Karen_A._Mingst,_Ivan_M._Arregu_n-Toft]_Essentia

Intergovernmental Organ izations 235

played this engine role, with the Council of Ministers ratifying, modifying, or vetoing
proposals, even though the Commission formally reports to the Council. Increasingly,
the Council, with its weighted voting system, has assumed more power; some policy
decisions in foreign and security affairs, immigration, and taxation even require unan­
i mous support.

PrIncIPal InstItutIOns Of the

eu rO Pean unIOn (2016)

Inst ItutIon MeMbershIp and VotIng responsIbIlItIes

eu ro pean

commission

28 members; four- year

terms, approved by member

states; plus 38,000 support

staff (Eurocrats)

Initiates proposals; guards

treaties; executes policies;

responsible for common

policies

council of

Ministers

Ministers of member states;

una nim i ty or qualified

majority voting depending

on issue

Legislates; sets po liti cal

objectives; coordinates;

resolves differences

eu ro pean

Parliament

751 members, elected for

five years by voters in

member states; allocated by

size of population; or ga-

nized around po liti cal

parties

Legislates; approves bud get

and the laws with the

Council of Ministers

eu ro pean

council

Heads of government;

Council of Minister

president; Commission

president; High

Representative for Foreign

Affairs; summit meetings

twice yearly

Defines policy agenda and

priorities

eu ro pean

court of

Justice

Judges (28) and advocates-

general; appointed by states

for six- year terms

Adjudicates disputes over

EU treaties; ensures uniform

interpretation of EU laws;

renders preliminary

opinions to states

t able 7.6