The European Union (EU) is made up of 27 member states and is organized around six separate institutions; Council of the
European Union, European Parliament, European Commission, European Court of Justice, European Court of Auditors and
European Council. For our purposes here we will look at an overview of the most important of these institutions; Council
of the European Union, European Parliament and the European Commission.
The Council of the European Union (CEU) in conjunction with the European Parliament form the legislative arm of the EU.
The CEU is made up of ministers from all member states and is commonly referred to as The Ministers Council. Aside from
other functions and powers the most important thing to know in relation to possible EU bans, the CEU must pass
legislation with the parliament but can not initiate legislation.
The European Parliament is composed of parliamentarians elected by EU citizens. As stated above, in conjunction with
the Council of the European Union form the legislative arm of the EU. The parliament can not initiate legislation but
does have the power to veto or amend legislation of many, but not all, types. The parliament oversees the European
Commission must approve all appointments to it and can veto it. It also controls the EU budget and has no power to
interfere with laws of member states.
The European Commission (EC) is the executive body of the EU. The main role of the EC is the initiate legislation.
While the CEU and the European Parliament can stop most legislation conceived by the EC nothing happens unless the EC
initiates it.
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