EUROPEAN INSTITUTIONS
I-The Commission
Before 1965, there were 3 institutions (ECSC [European Coal and Steel Community] + EEC [European Economic Community] + Euratom [European Atomic Energy Community]) but it was moved into a single commission with the Merger Treaty (1965). Even though, they are still legally separated, they now share a common institution. The commission is the executive branch of the European Union. Its role is to propose European legislation in the common interests of all members but also to uphold treaties and basically to manage the day-to-day business of the EU. The commission is composed of Commissioners, who are proposed by the Council of the European Union, on the basis of suggestions made by the national governments, and then appointed by the European Council after the approval of the European Parliament.
II-The Parliament
The European Parliament was established in 1952. It is the legislative branch of the European Union. It’s composed of 705 members, elected every 5 years at the universal suffrage. It’s a bicameral legislature (two chambers) but, contrary to national legislature, the European Parliament does not have the power to propose legislation, it can only amend or reject it ( the legislation is written by the Commission). However, it is said that the Parliament have the right to ask the Commission to draft laws that they want to amend it (according to former Parliament President Hans-Gert Pöttering).
III-The Court of Justice
The court of Justice was established in 1952. It is the supreme court of the European Union. Its task is to make sure that the European laws are respected across all the EU members states. Therefore, it can take actions against a state if the state failed to fulfill its obligations under Union law. It’s composed of 1 judge per member state.
IV-The European Central Bank
Based in Frankfurt Am Main, the European Central Bank serves as an economic Institution to the 19 countries which adopted the euro. Its purpose is to regulate monetary policies on a European scale, and it focuses on maintaining price stability within the euro-zone. It was established in 1999 by the Treaty of Amsterdam, and since then supervises various struggles countries go through, such as the Greek crisis caused by the 2008 global crisis. The ECB’s President, Christine Lagarde, is not the only one involved in the decision-making process : along with 6 executive board members, the 19 central bank governors of the euro area countries are here to ensure all of the countries’ interest are met.
V-The Council of the European Union
Often designated as the Council of Ministers, the Council of the European Union shares the legislative power with the European Parliament : it votes the laws proposed by the European Commission and makes decisions regarding the Union’s budget.
Based in Brussels, the council is composed of 27 ministers from each member state, its composition varies along with the topic treated. The presidency rotates every six months between the countries - it is currently held by Croatia, until June 2020 - but a common programme is followed each three presidencies to ensure efficient response is given to actual problems.
VI-The European Council
Even though it is often mixed up with the Council of the European Union, the European Council does not hold any legislative, juridical or executive power. Despite this fact, it is often considered one of the highest institution of the European Union. Indeed, the Heads of state, the President of the European Council - currently Charles Michel, and the President of the European Commission gather in Brussels four times a year to dictate the political orientation of the Union. Once those goals and priorities are set by the European Council, the other European institutions are to ensure laws are ratified in accordance with this framework.