Deminor Wiki - European Council

Read below for a definition of the term: "European Council".

What is the "European Council"?

The European Council is one of the main decision-making bodies of the European Union (EU), bringing together the heads of state or government from each EU member country. Formed in 1974 as an informal forum, the European Council was formally established as an EU institution with the Treaty of Lisbon in 2009. Headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, the European Council provides strategic direction for the EU, addressing key issues that affect the Union and setting its overall political agenda.

Structure and Composition

The European Council is composed of:

  1. Heads of State or Government: The leaders of each EU member state (either presidents or prime ministers, depending on the country’s political system).
  2. President of the European Council: Elected by the Council members for a two-and-a-half-year term, the President coordinates and chairs Council meetings, represents the EU externally, and works to build consensus among member states.
  3. President of the European Commission: Participates in meetings as a non-voting member, helping to integrate the Council's strategic direction with the operational activities of the Commission.
  4. High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy: Attends when issues of foreign policy and defence are on the agenda.

The European Council typically meets four times a year in regular summits but may convene additional meetings to address urgent or crisis situations.

Roles and Responsibilities

The European Council’s primary function is to provide strategic guidance and political direction for the EU, especially in matters that cannot be resolved at lower levels or within the competencies of other EU institutions. Its main responsibilities include:

  1. Setting the EU’s Political Agenda: The Council outlines the Union's priorities, focusing on broad issues such as economic policy, security, and climate change.
  2. Addressing Complex Policy Matters: The Council is tasked with resolving politically sensitive or complex issues that require consensus among all member states.
  3. Treaty Reforms and EU Enlargement: The Council provides guidance on amendments to EU treaties and plays a role in accession talks for new member states, setting criteria for potential members and approving negotiations.
  4. Foreign and Security Policy: The Council defines the EU's foreign policy priorities, helping to coordinate common security and defense policies among member states.
  5. Crisis Management: In times of crisis, such as economic downturns or geopolitical conflicts, the Council meets to coordinate EU responses and reach consensus on a unified course of action.

Decision-Making Process

The European Council operates primarily through consensus. While formal votes are rare, they are conducted according to the principle of unanimity for key decisions, with each member having a veto in most policy areas. In certain cases, decisions are made by qualified majority voting (QMV), which requires at least 55% of member states representing at least 65% of the EU population to approve.

The decisions of the European Council are often formalised in Council Conclusions, which provide detailed guidance to other EU institutions on the implementation of its directives. Although the Council does not draft legislation itself, it can provide a framework that the European Commission and European Parliament use to create detailed policies.

Influence and Impact

The European Council has significant influence over the EU’s strategic priorities, often setting the agenda on issues of economic policy, foreign relations, and institutional reform. Its decisions shape long-term EU initiatives, such as climate policy targets, migration management, and the digital economy. The Council’s role in crisis management has also expanded, with member states relying on it to lead coordinated responses to challenges such as the European debt crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic.

As the highest decision-making authority within the EU, the European Council’s actions often reflect the balance of power among member states, particularly regarding sensitive issues such as sovereignty, defence, and fiscal policy. Its influence has been pivotal in determining the trajectory of EU integration, as well as in negotiating compromises between diverse national interests.

Challenges

The European Council has faced criticism for its closed decision-making process and lack of transparency, as its meetings are generally private, and consensus-based decisions may obscure individual positions. Additionally, its reliance on unanimous decision-making can sometimes lead to gridlock, particularly on contentious issues such as migration policy and fiscal responsibility. Nonetheless, the European Council remains central to EU governance, adapting to address the challenges facing an increasingly integrated Europe.