European council

What Is the European Council?

The European Council is the institution of the European Union (EU) that defines the general political direction and priorities of the Union. Composed of the Heads of State or Government of the EU Member States, its own President, and the President of the European Commission, it is a crucial body within the framework of supranational governance that guides the long-term strategic agenda for the bloc. While it does not exercise legislative functions, the European Council plays a pivotal role in setting the overarching goals and coordinating policies across various domains, falling broadly under the category of political economy and international relations.

History and Origin

The European Council's origins can be traced back to informal summits of the leaders of the European Community, which began in the early 1960s. These meetings were initially conceived to provide high-level political guidance that supranational institutions alone could not offer. The concept was formalized in December 1974, when the leaders decided to meet regularly as the "European Council." It was first included in the Treaties by the Single European Act in 1987 and gained a defined role with the Maastricht Treaty in 1992. However, it was the Treaty of Lisbon, which came into force in 2009, that officially established the European Council as one of the seven institutions of the European Union, distinct from the Council of the European Union. This formalization underscored its central role in providing the Union with the necessary impetus for its development and defining its overall political directions and priorities.²⁷,²⁶, The historical evolution of this body highlights the shifting balance between intergovernmental cooperation and supranational integration within Europe.²⁵

Key Takeaways

• The European Council comprises the heads of state or government of EU Member States, its President, and the President of the European Commission.²⁴
• Its primary role is to define the EU's overall political direction and priorities, acting as a strategic and crisis-solving body.
• Decisions are generally taken by consensus, though the Treaties may specify otherwise.²³
• It does not exercise legislative powers but provides guidance for legislative policy.
• The European Council acquired formal institutional status with the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon in 2009.²²

Interpreting the European Council

The European Council functions as the ultimate political authority of the European Union. Its decisions are not typically legally binding in themselves but set the political course and provide mandates for other EU institutions, such as the European Commission and the Council of the European Union, to develop specific economic policy proposals or legislative acts. When the European Council reaches an agreement, it signifies a strong political commitment from all Member States, which then typically translates into concrete actions or policies. The level of detail in its conclusions can vary, from broad declarations to specific mandates for future work. The ability of the European Council to reach a unified stance is often seen as a measure of the EU's cohesion and capacity for collective action on significant issues, impacting areas like cross-border trade and financial stability.

Hypothetical Example

Imagine a scenario where the EU faces a severe energy crisis due to geopolitical events. The European Council would convene to address this challenge. During their meeting, the heads of state or government would discuss the immediate needs, such as ensuring energy supply, and long-term strategies, like accelerating the transition to renewable energy sources. After extensive negotiations, the European Council might issue conclusions stating a new collective commitment to reduce dependence on fossil fuels by a certain percentage by a specific year, and to invest significantly in green technologies. They would also mandate the European Commission to propose detailed funding mechanisms and regulatory frameworks to achieve these goals. This political agreement at the highest level then empowers other EU bodies to initiate the necessary legislative and budgetary processes, ensuring a coordinated response across the Union.

Practical Applications

The European Council's decisions have far-reaching practical applications across various sectors:

• Strategic Direction: It sets the overall strategic agenda for the EU, guiding policies in areas like climate change, digital transformation, security, and migration.
• Major Policy Initiatives: Significant EU policy initiatives often originate from the European Council. For instance, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the European Council agreed in principle to the "NextGenerationEU" recovery package, a substantial financial instrument designed to help Member States recover and build a greener, more digital, and more resilient Europe.²¹, This demonstrates its role in crisis management and economic recovery efforts, often involving substantial budget allocations and frameworks like the Multiannual Financial Framework.
• External Relations: The European Council defines the EU's common foreign and security policy, impacting its stance on international issues and relations with non-EU countries.²⁰,¹⁹ The President of the European Council also ensures the external representation of the Union on matters concerning its common foreign and security policy.¹⁸
• Institutional Appointments: It plays a role in key appointments within the EU institutions, such as electing its own President and appointing the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.¹⁷,¹⁶

Limitations and Criticisms

While central to the EU's strategic direction, the European Council faces limitations and criticisms. A primary challenge is the requirement for unanimity or qualified majority voting in certain areas, which can lead to slow decision-making or compromise agreements that lack ambition, particularly when diverse national interests are at stake. This can impede rapid responses to emerging crises or the implementation of transformative policies. Critics also point to the intergovernmental nature of the European Council, where national sovereignty can sometimes overshadow the collective EU interest. This tension can lead to a perceived lack of democratic accountability compared to directly elected bodies like the European Parliament. Furthermore, the lack of formal legislative power means its decisions require subsequent action by other institutions, which can introduce delays or alterations to the initial political impulse. For example, while the European Council sets the broad policy, the actual laws are adopted by the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament.¹⁵

European Council vs. Council of the European Union

The terms European Council and Council of the European Union are often confused but refer to two distinct institutions within the European Union's institutional framework.

While the European Council sets the strategic agenda, the Council of the European Union, also known informally as the Council of Ministers, is the actual legislative body where ministers from each EU country adopt laws and coordinate policies. The European Central Bank's role, for instance, in monetary policy is distinct from both, though coordinated within the overall economic framework set by these political bodies.

FAQs

Who are the members of the European Council?

The European Council consists of the heads of state or government of the 27 EU Member States, its own President, and the President of the European Commission. The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy also participates in its meetings.⁶

What is the main function of the European Council?

Its main function is to provide the European Union with the necessary political impetus for its development and to define the general political directions and priorities of the Union. It does not exercise legislative functions.⁵,

How does the European Council make decisions?

Decisions are generally taken by consensus, meaning all members must agree. However, the Treaties specify that in some limited areas, decisions can be taken by qualified majority voting.⁴,³

Is the European Council the same as the Council of the European Union?

No, they are distinct institutions. The European Council is composed of heads of state or government and sets the EU's overall political direction. The Council of the European Union (or Council of Ministers) consists of national ministers and, together with the European Parliament, adopts EU laws.²,¹

Where is the European Council based?

The European Council is based in Brussels, Belgium, primarily meeting in the Europa building.