How does the European Union Work?

The European Union (EU) is a political and economic union of 27 European countries that have come together to promote cooperation, peace, and prosperity among their nations. The EU operates on several key principles and institutions that work together to make decisions and implement policies. Here’s an overview of how the EU works:

1. Treaties and Legal Framework: The EU is founded on a series of treaties that outline the legal framework for its functioning. The main treaties are the Treaty on European Union (TEU) and the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU). These treaties establish the objectives, powers, and structure of the EU.
2. Institutions: The EU has several institutions responsible for different aspects of governance. The main institutions are:a. European Council: Comprised of the heads of state or government of the member states and the President of the European Commission, the European Council sets the general political direction and priorities of the EU.b. European Commission: The European Commission is the executive arm of the EU. It is responsible for proposing and implementing legislation, enforcing EU laws, managing the EU budget, and representing the EU in international affairs.c. European Parliament: The European Parliament is the directly elected legislative body of the EU. It plays a crucial role in passing EU laws, approving the EU budget, and scrutinizing the work of the European Commission.d. Council of the European Union: Also known as the Council of Ministers, this institution represents the member states’ governments. It, together with the European Parliament, approves legislation proposed by the European Commission.e. Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU): The CJEU ensures the uniform interpretation and application of EU law. It resolves legal disputes between member states and interprets EU law at the request of national courts.
3. Decision-Making: The EU follows several procedures for decision-making, depending on the type of issue being addressed. The ordinary legislative procedure involves the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union sharing decision-making powers on most policy areas. Other procedures may apply for specific policy areas.
4. Policies: The EU has a wide range of policies covering areas such as trade, environment, competition, migration, and more. These policies are developed and implemented through the institutions and decision-making procedures mentioned above.
5. Single Market: One of the EU’s key achievements is the establishment of a single market, allowing for the free movement of goods, services, capital, and people within the EU member states.
6. Eurozone: Some EU member states have adopted the euro as their currency, forming the Eurozone, which is a monetary union with a common currency managed by the European Central Bank.
7. Enlargement: The EU has expanded over the years through the accession of new member states. Candidate countries must meet specific criteria and go through a negotiation process before becoming EU members.

It’s important to note that the EU is a complex and evolving entity, and its functioning and policies may change over time. The EU works towards its objectives through ongoing cooperation and negotiation among its member states and institutions.