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European Council


The European Council initially emerged as a series of summits, starting 1969 in The Hague, between the heads of government and heads of state of the European Community (EC). 1974 these political leaders agreed to meet three times each year. They took the title of the European Council. It was not until the Single European Act (1986) that the European Council came to have a treaty basis. It coordinates the various elements or ‘pillars’ of the European Union (EU) established by the Treaty on European Union (1992). However, the European Council remains outside the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice, and therefore arguably outside the EU, narrowly defined. The original model of the Community envisaged a technocratic integration of the states of Europe, bypassing the high politics of the member states. As a result, the heads of government and heads of state had no role in the EC. The European Council developed in response to the crisis in the legislative system of the European Community which began in the mid-1960s and resulted in a blight on the growth of the EC. The Council provided the impetus for the development of new consumer, environmental, and social policies, as well as initiating attempts at monetary union and foreign policy cooperation. Paradoxically the European Council played a key role in ‘relaunching’ the Community in the 1970s, while shifting the locus of initiative from the supranational Commission to the leaders of the member states.

— Daniel Wincott

 
 
Columbia Encyclopedia: European Council,
a consultative branch of the governing body of the European Union (EU). It is composed of the heads of government of the EU nations and their foreign ministers, in conjunction with the president and two additional members from the European Commission. It meets at least twice a year. Meetings of the European Council often emphasize political as well as economic cooperation among EU nations; for example, the impetus for the move to have the members of the European Parliament elected directly by universal suffrage came out of an agreement reached at the first meeting of the European Council in 1974. The council was given legal definition by the Single European Act (1987).

 
Wikipedia: European Council
This article deals with the meeting of European Union leaders. For other uses see European Council (disambiguation).
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The European Council (referred to as a European Summit) is the highest political body of the European Union[1] which meets around four times a year. It comprises the heads of state or government of the Union's member states along with the President of the European Commission. Its meeting is chaired by the member from the member state currently holding Presidency of the Council of the European Union.[2]

While the Council has no formal executive or legislative powers (it is a body, not an institution, of the Union), it deals with major issues and decisions taken are "a major impetus in defining the general political guidelines of the European Union". The Council meets at least twice a year; usually in the Justus Lipsius building, the quarters of the Council of the European Union (Consilium) of Brussels.[3][4][5] This body should be distinguished from the separate bodies of Council of the European Union and the Council of Europe.

History

The first Councils were held in February and July 1961 (in Paris and Bonn respectively). They were informal summits of the leaders of the European Community and were started due to then-French President Charles de Gaulle's resentment at the domination of supranational institutions (e.g. the European Commission) over the integration process. The first influential summit was held in 1969 after a series of irregular summits. The Hague summit of 1969 reached an agreement on the admittance of the United Kingdom into the Community and initiated foreign policy cooperation (the European Political Cooperation) taking integration beyond economics.[6][1]

The summits were only formalised in 1974, at the December summit in Paris, following a proposal from then-French President Valéry Giscard d'Estaing. It was felt that more intergovernmental input was needed following the "empty chair crisis" and economic problems. The inaugural Council, as it had become, was held in Dublin on 1975-03-10/1975-03-11 during Ireland's first Presidency of the Council of the European Union. In 1987 it was included in the treaties for the first time (the Single European Act) and had a defined role for the first time in the Maastricht Treaty. At first only two meetings per year were required, now there are on average four European Councils each year (two per presidency). The seat of the Council was formalised in 2002, basing it in Brussels (see Seat). In addition to usual councils, there are the occasional extraordinary councils, for example in 2001 the European Council gathered to lead the EUs response to those events.[6][1]

The meetings of the Council are seen by some as turning points in the history of the European Union. For example:[1]

Powers and functions

The European Council isn't an official institution of the EU, although it is mentioned in the treaties as a body which "shall provide the Union with the necessary impetus for its development". Essentially it defines the EU's policy agenda and has thus been considered to be the motor of European integration. It does this without any formal powers, only the influence it has being composed of national leaders.[1][4]

Due to such composition, the body brings together the executive power of the member states, having a great deal of influence outside the European Community: for example over foreign policy and police & justice. It also exercises the more executive powers of the Council of the European Union (the European Council could be described as a configuration of that body) such as the appointment of the President of the European Commission. Hence with powers over the supranational executive of the EU, in addition to its other powers, the European Council has been described by some as the Union's "supreme political authority".[6][2][5]

However, the body has been criticised by some for a lack of leadership, in part stemming from the weak structure of the body, meeting only 4 times a year for 2 days with no staff and no legislative decisions made.[8] Beyond the need to provide "impetus", the Council has developed further roles; to "settle issues outstanding from discussions at a lower level", to lead in foreign policy - acting externally as a "collective Head of State", "formal ratification of important documents" and "involvement in the negotiation of the treaty changes".[6][5]

Composition

Officially the members of the Council consist of the heads of state or government of the Union, plus the Commission President (non-voting). When meetings take place, the national foreign minister usually attends with the leaders. The Commission President likewise is also accompanied by another member of the Commission. These are the members seen in the "Family photo" taken at each Council.[4][5][1]

Meetings can also include national ministers, including foreign ministers, other leading national positions (French Prime Minister), Commissioners as required. The Secretary General of the Council (and his/her deputy) is also a regular attendee. The position has become highly important due to its regular role in organising the meetings while also acting as the Union's High Representative. The President of the European Parliament usually attends to give an opening speech outlining the European Parliament's position before talks begin.[4][5][1]

However the negotiations usual involve a large number of other people working behind the scenes. Most of those people however are not allowed into the conference room, except for two delegates per state to relay messages. At the push of a button members can also call for advice from a Permanent Representative via the "Antici Group" in an adjacent room. The group is composed of diplomats and assistance who convey information and requests. Translators are also required for meetings as members are permitted to speak in their own languages.[1]

President-in-Office

The current President-in-Office is José Sócrates of Portugal
Enlarge
The current President-in-Office is José Sócrates of Portugal
See also: Presidency of the Council of the European Union and President of the European Council

The role of President-in-Office of the assembled European Council is performed by the head of government of state of the member state currently holding the Council Presidency. This presidency rotates every six months, with every three presidencies co-operating on a common programme in triplets, meaning there is also a new president of the European Council every six months. The agenda of the meetings are defined by the Presidency, hence it may be misused by the country holding the Presidency by pushing their national interests up the agenda. The presiding country may also have additional negotiators at the table.[2][5][1]

The role as President-in-Office is in no sense equivalent to an office of a head of state, merely a primus inter pares (first among equals) role with other European heads of government. The President-in-Office is primarily responsible for preparing and chairing Council meetings, and has no executive powers. It does however offer external representation of the council and the Union and reports to the European Parliament after Council meetings and at the beginning and end of the Presidency.[2][5]

Council Members

Member state Head of State / Government Title Political party Member since
Austria Gusenbauer, AlfredAlfred Gusenbauer Chancellor PES / Social Democratic Party of Austria 2007-01-11 }} {{#time:j F Y|2007-01-11 }}
Belgium Verhofstadt, GuyGuy Verhofstadt Prime Minister ELDR / Flemish Liberals and Democrats 1999-07-12 }} {{#time:j F Y|1999-07-12 }}
Bulgaria Stanishev, SergeySergey Stanishev Prime Minister PES / Bulgarian Socialist Party 2007-01-01 }} {{#time:j F Y|2007-01-01 }}
Cyprus Papadopoulos, TassosTassos Papadopoulos President Ind. / Dimokratikon Komma 2004-05-01 }} {{#time:j F Y|2004-05-01 }}
Czech Republic Topolánek, MirekMirek Topolánek Prime Minister MER / Civic Democratic Party 2006-08-16 }} {{#time:j F Y|2006-08-16 }}
Denmark Rasmussen, Anders FoghAnders Fogh Rasmussen Prime Minister ELDR / Venstre 2001-11-27 }} {{#time:j F Y|2001-11-27 }}
Estonia Ansip, AndrusAndrus Ansip Prime Minister ELDR / Estonian Reform Party 2005-04-12 }} {{#time:j F Y|2005-04-12 }}
Finland Vanhanen, MattiMatti Vanhanen Prime Minister ELDR / Centre Party 2003-06-24 }} {{#time:j F Y|2003-06-24 }}
France Sarkozy, NicolasNicolas Sarkozy President EPP / Union for a Popular Movement 2007-05-16 }} {{#time:j F Y|2007-05-16 }}
Germany Merkel, AngelaAngela Merkel Chancellor EPP / Christian Democratic Union 2005-11-22 }} {{#time:j F Y|2005-11-22 }}
Greece Karamanlis, KostasKostas Karamanlis Prime Minister EPP / New Democracy 2004-03-10 }} {{#time:j F Y|2004-03-10 }}
Hungary Gyurcsány, FerencFerenc Gyurcsány Prime Minister PES / Hungarian Socialist Party 2004-08-25 }} {{#time:j F Y|2004-08-25 }}
Ireland Ahern, BertieBertie Ahern Taoiseach AEN / Fianna Fáil 1997-06-26 }} {{#time:j F Y|1997-06-26 }}
Italy Prodi, RomanoRomano Prodi Prime Minister EDP / Olive Tree[1] 2006-05-17 }} {{#time:j F Y|2006-05-17 }}
Latvia Kalvītis, AigarsAigars Kalvītis Prime Minister EPP / People's Party 2004-12-02 }} {{#time:j F Y|2004-12-02 }}
Lithuania Kirkilas, GediminasGediminas Kirkilas Prime Minister PES / Social Democratic Party of Lithuania 2006-07-04 }} {{#time:j F Y|2006-07-04 }}
Luxembourg Juncker, Jean-ClaudeJean-Claude Juncker Prime Minister EPP / Christian Social People's Party 1995-01-20 }} {{#time:j F Y|1995-01-20 }}
Malta Gonzi, LawrenceLawrence Gonzi Prime Minister EPP / Nationalist Party 2004-05-01 }} {{#time:j F Y|2004-05-01 }}
Netherlands Balkenende, Jan PeterJan Peter Balkenende Prime Minister EPP / Christian Democratic Appeal 2002-07-22 }} {{#time:j F Y|2002-07-22 }}
Poland Kaczyński, JarosławJarosław Kaczyński Prime Minister AEN / Law and Justice 2006-07-14 }} {{#time:j F Y|2006-07-14 }}
Portugal[2] Sócrates, JoséJosé Sócrates Prime Minister PES / Socialist Party 2005-03-12 }} {{#time:j F Y|2005-03-12 }}
Romania Popescu-Tăriceanu, CălinCălin Popescu-Tăriceanu Prime Minister ELDR / National Liberal Party 2007-01-01 }} {{#time:j F Y|2007-01-01 }}
Slovakia Fico, RobertRobert Fico Prime Minister PES / Direction - Social Democracy 2006-07-04 }} {{#time:j F Y|2006-07-04 }}
Slovenia Janša, JanezJanez Janša Prime Minister EPP / Slovenian Democratic Party 2004-11-09 }} {{#time:j F Y|2004-11-09 }}
Spain Rodríguez Zapatero, José LuisJosé Luis Rodríguez Zapatero Prime Minister PES / Spanish Socialist Workers' Party 2004-04-17 }} {{#time:j F Y|2004-04-17 }}
Sweden Reinfeldt, FredrikFredrik Reinfeldt Prime Minister EPP / Moderate Party 2006-10-06 }} {{#time:j F Y|2006-10-06 }}
United Kingdom Brown, GordonGordon Brown Prime Minister PES / Labour Party 2007-06-27 }} {{#time:j F Y|2007-06-27 }}
European Commission[3] Barroso, José ManuelJosé Manuel Barroso President EPP / Social Democratic Party 2004-11-23 }} {{#time:j F Y|2004-11-23 }}
EU member states by the European political affiliations of their leaders, as of 11 January 2007.
Enlarge
EU member states by the European political affiliations of their leaders, as of 11 January 2007.
  • ^  Portugal currently holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union; José Sócrates, as Prime Minister of that member state, is the President-in-Office.
  • ^  Romano Prodi officially aligns himself only with his Olive Tree coalition rather than any member-party, but he was previously a member of Daisy-Democracy is Freedom's ancestor-party and is honorary president of its European parent, the EDP.
  • ^  José Manuel Barroso does not represent a member state, but sits in the European Council as the President of the Commission. He/She does not vote.


Party # QMV
European People's Party 9 108
Party of European Socialists 8 114
European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party 5 44
Alliance for Europe of the Nations 2 34
European Democratic Party 1 29
Movement for European Reform 1 12
Independent - Dimokratikon Komma 1 4
total 27 345

Seat and meetings

The Justus Lipsius building, the headquarters of the European Council in Brussels.
Enlarge
The Justus Lipsius building, the headquarters of the European Council in Brussels.
Further information: List of European Councils

Meetings of the council usually take place four times a year (two per Presidency) in Brussels and last for two days, although this can sometimes be longer if contentious issues are on the agenda.[1]

Up until 2002, the venue of the council meeting rotated between member states, as its location was decided by the country holding the rotating presidency. However, the 22nd declaration attached to the Treaty of Nice stated that;[9]

“

As from 2002, one European Council meeting per Presidency will be held in Brussels. When the Union comprises 18 members, all European Council meetings will be held in Brussels.

 ”

So between 2002 and 2004 half the councils were held in Brussels, and from the 2004 enlargement, all were. The European Council uses the same building as the Council of the European Union (the Justus Lipsius building). However some extraordinary councils still take place outside of the city in the member holding the Presidency; (Rome, 2003 or Hampton Court Palace in 2005). The European Council is due to move with the Council of the European Union to a new building, Résidence Palace, next to the existing building.[6][10] The choice of a single seat was due to a number of factors, such as the experience of the Belgian police in dealing with protesters (a protester in Gothenburg was shot by police) as well as Brussels having fixed facilities for the Council and journalists at every meeting. By having a permanent seat (that's the same as the Council), particularly since enlargement, it was expected the Council would integrate further into the Community framework, rather than continuing under heavy national influence, developing as a governmental body (some have argued it is already the de facto EU government).[6]

Future of the European Council

Tony Blair Bertie Ahern
Both Tony Blair and Bertie Ahern have been cited as possible
candidates to become the first Council President in 2009

There would be a number of changes to the European Council under the proposed Lisbon Treaty, which largely retains the reforms outlined in the rejected Constitutional Treaty.[11]

The treaty would make the European Council a formal institution, separate from the Council of the European Union (now the Council of Ministers). While the Council of Ministers would continue with the rotating presidency, the European Council would have a single, fixed, President of the European Council with a renewable two-and-a-half year mandate. The position would stay a non-executive, administrative role. It would have an important role in organising work and meetings, providing external representation (including working with the CFSP) and being able to call extraordinary meetings beyond the four that are now formally required to take place.[12]

The role of the council is clearly separate from the Council, and primarily follows previous definitions. In separating from the Council of Ministers, the European Council gains no legislative power. It does however gain a greater say over police and justice planning, foreign policy and constitutional matters, including: the composition of the Parliament and Commission; matters relating to the rotating presidency; the suspension of membership rights; changing the voting systems in the treaties bridging clauses; and nominating the President of the European Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. The High Representative, along with the new post of President, are the only formal changes in composition. Further more, under the "emergency break" procedure, a state may refer contenious legislation from the Council of Ministers to the European Council if it is outvoted in the Council, although it may still be outvoted in the European Council.[12][13][14]

Although there may be some informal changes; currently the President of Finland informally takes part in the European Council as s/he is responsible for the Finland's foreign policy outside the EU. This is along side the Prime Minister who deals with policy within the EU. Under the new treaty the Council becomes a formal EU institution and deals with foreign policy (making it EU policy). Hence, some see the President's attendance would no longer be justified.[15]

There has been speculation on who would be the first (full time) President of the European Council, being dubbed as the President of the European Union. Currently the most common name is former British Prime Minister, Tony Blair.[16][17] This was backed up further when, in June 2007, French president Nicolas Sarkozy was the first leader to propose that Blair be the first president.[18] However in August of 2007, there has been specuation that Bertie Ahern, current Irish Taoiseach, could also be a contender.[19]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j van Grinsven, Peter (September 2003). The European Council under Construction (PDF). Netherlands Institution for international Relations. Retrieved on 2007-08-16.
  2. ^ a b c d How does the EU work. Europa (web portal). Retrieved on 2007-07-12.
  3. ^ European Council. Council of the European Union. Retrieved on 2007-07-12.
  4. ^ a b c d Consolidated versions of the treaty on European Union and of the treaty establishing the European Community (PDF). Europa (web portal) (1992-02-07). Retrieved on 2007-07-12.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g European Council. Europa (web portal). Retrieved on 2007-07-12.
  6. ^ a b c d e f Stark, Christine. Evolution of the European Council: The implications of a permanent seat (PDF). Dragoman.org. Retrieved on 2007-07-12.
  7. ^ EU Security Policy & the role of the European Commissio. European Commission. Retrieved on 2007-08-22.
  8. ^ Laming, Richard (2003-07-10). Too much champagne, not enough leadership. Open Democracy. Retrieved on 2007-07-12.
  9. ^ Treaty of Nice (PDF). Europa (web portal) (2001-02-21). Retrieved on 2007-07-12.
  10. ^ Reconstruction of "Residence Palacel. UIA Architectes (2005-09-26). Retrieved on 2007-07-12.
  11. ^ European Council (2007-06-22). Brussels European Council 21/22 June 2007: Presidency Conclusions (PDF). Europa (web portal). Retrieved on 2007-07-12.
  12. ^ a b The Union's institutions: The European Council. Europa (web portal) (2001-02-21). Retrieved on 2007-07-12.
  13. ^ Peers, Steve (2007-08-02). EU Reform Treaty Analysis no. 2.2: Foreign policy provisions of the revised text of the Treaty on the European Union (TEU) (PDF). Statewatch. Retrieved on 2007-09-26.
  14. ^ Peers, Steve (2007-08-02). EU Reform Treaty analysis 1: JHA provisions (PDF). Statewatch. Retrieved on 2007-09-26.
  15. ^ Experts calling for new decisions on role of President in EU policy. Helsingin Sanomat (2007-08-22). Retrieved on 2007-08-28.
  16. ^ Hall, Ben (2007-05-03). New post of EU chief tempts Blair. Financial Times. Retrieved on 2007-07-12.
  17. ^ Parker, George (2007-05-10). Blair’s fate may be linked to EU. Financial Times. Retrieved on 2007-07-12.
  18. ^ Parker, George (2007-06-16). Push for Blair as new EU president. Financial Times. Retrieved on 2007-07-12.
  19. ^ Mahony, Honor (2007-08-27). Ireland speculates on Ahern becoming EU president. EU Observer. Retrieved on 2007-07-12.

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