The European Parliament has extensive powers, yet it cannot perform a single task.
The European election might not garner as much attention as a federal one, but decisions made in Brussels can be more far-reaching than those in Berlin. The European Union confronts a significant issue.
The European election has been ongoing since Thursday, with the Dutch setting it off. Today, Germans, along with many other Europeans, line up to elect a new European parliament. A total of 720 seats are up for grabs, with 96 of them going to German representatives - the same number as any other country. Additionally, for the first time, 16-year-olds in Germany are eligible to vote. The FDP can breathe a little easier, as there's no five-percent threshold like in federal elections. There are other differences, too.
The European Parliament possesses less power than its national counterparts when it comes to making laws and approving budgets. For example, in the German Bundestag, the government usually agrees on a draft law, which is then decided upon. Factions can also submit their own drafts - although those from the opposition rarely stand a chance of gaining majority support. The budget is an entirely different story - the deputies determine what's done with the taxes.
However, things shift a bit in the European Parliament. It shares legislative competence with the Council of the European Union, which represents the governments of the member states. Similar to the Bundestag, Council and Parliament must agree on a legislative proposal. This is a compromise that allows national governments to retain some control. They can't entirely avoid the Parliament, as important areas such as migration, energy, transport, climate change, environment, consumer protection, and the economy all fall under its influence. When regulations or directives are passed, they must be implemented across the entire EU.
What the European Parliamentarians cannot do is initiate legislation. While Bundestag factions can submit their own draft laws, this power belongs solely to the European Commission. They can only request the Commission to present a bill on a specific issue. Identical rules apply to the budget - the Commission proposes it, the Parliament can involve itself, and the Council must also approve it. The same goes for the Commission's leadership - the Commission president must secure a majority in the parliament and obtain the approval of the Council.
Who chooses the Commission President?
The Commission serves as the EU government, comprising 27 members, one or more from each member state. Ursula von der Leyen, a CDU politician, currently holds the position as Commission President. To retain it after the European election, von der Leyen must secure a majority in the Parliament, as her re-appointment depends on their confirmation. Unlike the European Parliament, it cannot propose candidates; rather, the European Council, where heads of government from individual countries sit, has these rights.
The Council reached a notable decision during the 2019 European election. Despite the CSU politician Manfred Weber acting as the designated leader for the European People's Party and being part of the strongest faction in the European Parliament, von der Leyen came out on top. This was possible because Weber couldn't amass enough support in the Council. President Emmanuel Macron of France specifically worked against Weber's nomination and ultimately supported von der Leyen. Reports also suggest that someone other than von der Leyen could be appointed, such as former ECB chief and Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi.
This unique situation arises due to the Council's authority over proposing a candidate with a "qualified majority." This requires 55% of the member states to approve, which equals 15 of the 27 EU countries. The candidate must also enjoy the backing of member states accounting for at least 65% of the EU's total population. Until von der Leyen (or another candidate) crosses these thresholds, the Parliament is kept in the dark about who might become President.
The Commission holds exclusive rights to issue legal provisions, essentially granting it the power to kick-start the process. This ensures that the Council and Parliament can only react, either agreeing or disagreeing to the Commission's proposals. This is also the case with the budget - the Commission must initiate it, with the Council and Parliament able to make alterations only. The Commission has a considerable degree of freedom in these matters.
Lastly, the European Parliament has the authority to dismiss the Commission. This requires a vote of no confidence with a two-thirds majority.
The European Council is a forum for the heads of government of all 27 member states. They tackle larger issues and are not concerned with day-to-day matters. The Parliament, Council of the EU, and Commission handle these affairs. The responsibilities of the European Council include selecting the Commission President and addressing potential new European Union membership candidates.
The European Council's officials meet twice a year in Brussels. However, they also hold informal special meetings to address pressing concerns. The Council's decisions must be carried out by the EU Commission, limiting how much leeway the individual governments can exercise if they feel the Commission President is not abiding by the guidelines properly. Instead of merely voicing their concerns at the next meeting, the governments must live with their choice unless they can garner enough support to propose a new candidate.
In Brussels and Strasbourg, it's apparent how intricate the processes are at the core institutions. It's a system reliant on concessions: Nations relinquish their powers, yet still desire control. These compromises are also the crux of the EU's dilemma. If outsiders and novices are left unable to comprehend it, the EU is little more than an enigma to its own citizens. Europe isn't for the easily daunted.
Read also:
- Ursula von der Leyen, the EU Commission President, is currently serving, and her position depends on securing a majority in the European Parliament during the ongoing European elections.
- The EU Commission, led by President Ursula von der Leyen, holds the exclusive right to propose legislation and budgets, requiring the approval of both the European Parliament and the Council of the EU.
- The European elections have significant implications for the EU, with the results determining who will become the next EU Commission President and shape policy decisions made in Brussels, which can have far-reaching effects across Europe.
