Understanding the European Union

The European Commission (27 commissioners, one per state) proposes legislation and enforces EU law—it's the executive branch. The European Parliament (705 MEPs elected by citizens) co-legislates with the Council and approves the EU budget—it's the democratic chamber. The Council of the European Union (ministers from each member state) co-legislates with Parliament—it represents national governments. Laws typically require approval from both Parliament and Council via the ordinary legislative procedure. The European Council (heads of state/government) sets strategic direction but doesn't legislate. The Court of Justice ensures uniform interpretation of EU law, which takes supremacy over national law in areas where the EU has competence. This multi-layered structure creates checks and balances but also complexity and slow decision-making.

The EU isn't a federal state but goes far beyond a typical international organization—it's 'sui generis.' Member states have transferred certain powers to EU institutions through treaties. Exclusive competence (trade policy, competition law, monetary policy for eurozone) means only the EU can act. Shared competence (internal market, environment, agriculture) means both EU and states can act, but states can't contradict EU law. Supporting competence (health, education) means the EU can only coordinate, not legislate. Qualified majority voting in the Council allows decisions without unanimity, though sensitive areas (foreign policy, taxation) require unanimity. This pooling enables collective action but limits national autonomy—the core Brexit tension.

Critics argue the EU suffers from a 'democratic deficit': the Commission proposes laws but isn't directly elected; citizens vote for Parliament but feel distant from Brussels decision-making; national governments in the Council negotiate behind closed doors. The EU's complexity makes accountability diffuse—it's unclear who's responsible for unpopular policies. Defenders counter that the EU is actually democratically legitimate: Parliament is directly elected; the Council represents elected national governments; the Commission is approved by Parliament. The real issue may be visibility—EU accomplishments (peace, prosperity, free movement) are taken for granted, while frustrations (bureaucracy, migration crises) are blamed on 'Brussels.' Eurozone governance post-2008 intensified tensions as economic policy coordination impinged on national fiscal sovereignty.

Myth: The EU is undemocratic and run by unelected bureaucrats. Reality: The Parliament is directly elected, and the Commission requires Parliament approval; it's more complex than national systems but has democratic legitimacy. Myth: EU law forces countries to do things against their will. Reality: Member states voluntarily signed treaties transferring competences; qualified majority voting means individual states can be outvoted, but that's the price of membership benefits. Myth: The EU is trying to become a superstate. Reality: The EU has only powers explicitly granted by treaties; deeper integration requires unanimous treaty changes, giving each state a veto. Myth: Small countries have no voice. Reality: The system overweights small states (each has a Commissioner; Council voting considers population but isn't purely proportional).