EU-Actors: Council of the European Union

The Council of the European Union, also called the "Council of Ministers", is composed of the competent ministers of all EU Member States, which is why it can appear in ten different Council formations. Together with the European Parliament and the Commission, the Council of the EU negotiates and adopts legal acts within the framework of the ordinary legislative procedure and is responsible for its implementation in the respective Member States, which is why it fulfils both legislative and executive functions. Since 1 November 2014, the so-called "double majority" has been required for the adoption of decisions, i.e. at least 55% of all member states, which also represent at least 65% of the total EU population, must agree. Exceptions are sensitive matters such as foreign policy and taxation, which require unanimity. For procedural and administrative matters, a simple majority is sufficient.

Presidency

The Presidency of the Council of the European Union rotates among the EU member states every six months. During the six month period, the presidency chairs meetings at every level in the Council of the European Union (together with the European Parliament the legislative organ of the EU), helping to ensure the continuity of the EU's work in the Council.

Current presidency: Belgium

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© European Union 2022

Council presidencies up to 2024

2024

Belgium: January - June 2024

Hungary: July - December 2024

2023

Sweden: January - June 2023

Spain: July - December 2023

2022

France: January- June 2022

Czech Republic: July - December 2022

2021

Portugal: Januar - Juni 2021

Slovenia: July - December 2021

2020

Croatia: January - June 2020

Germany: July - December 2020

2019

Romania: January - June 2019

Finland: July - December 2019

1951

Founding of the ECSC

10

Different compositions of the Council of Ministers

34 %

of EU citizens do not understand how the EU works (2021)

Role and Responsibilities 

Art.16 (1) TEU: ,,The Council shall, jointly with the European Parliament, exercise legislative and budgetary functions. It shall carry out policy-making and coordinating functions as laid down in the Treaties."

Members

Art. 16 (2) TEU: ,,The Council shall consist of a representative of each Member State at ministerial level, who may commit the government of the Member State in question and cast its vote."

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