The European Union's three main political bodies include the European Commission, the European Council and the European Parliament, which all work with member states to govern the bloc.
Citizens across the European Union are currently voting in the European Parliament elections to choose direct representatives for the supranational legislative body. The European Parliament is one of the EU's three main political institutions, along with the European Council, which represents national governments of the 27 member states, and the European Commission, the bloc's Brussels-based executive arm. Here are some details about how the three main EU bodies function.
Only the European Commission can formally propose new laws, either on its own initiative or after requests by other EU institutions or citizens. Laws are passed through an agreement between the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union, composed of national government ministers of a particular policy area.
law is negotiated by the Parliament, the Commission and member states. Treaties set out the bloc's principles, institutions and legislative processes. Regulations apply directly to all member states, while directives require countries to achieve specified objectives and allow flexibility in implementation methods. Decisions are addressed to specific companies, individuals or member states.
Treaties and legislation are interpreted by the Court of Justice of the EU that ensures they are applied, with the power to impose fines on members for breaches. In antitrust cases, the court reviews fines imposed on companies by the Commission. International agreements with partner countries or organizations also shape the legal landscape.
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