European Policy Making: An Overview

Key Actors

• European Commission
  • Holds monopoly on initiating legislative proposals.
  • Directorate channels draft proposals, checked by legal services.
• European Parliament
  • 705 members represent EU citizens.
  • Members form party groups for coordination.
• Council of the European Union
  • Also known as the Council of Ministries.
  • Represents member states via ministry representatives.

Legislative Process

Stage 1: Policy Analysis and Development

• Agenda Setting
  • Topics for detailed examination are determined.
  • The European Commission initiates this process.
  • Supported by expert committees and agencies.
• Problem Identification & Interpretation
  • Officials maintain contact with stakeholders to address topics.
  • Directorate channels and external actors can draft proposals.
• Citizens Initiatives
  • Over 1 million signatures from a quarter of member states can prompt discussion.
• Policy Research
  • Experts and interest groups discuss topics.
  • Green Papers and White Papers are used to stimulate debate.

Stage 2: Decision-Making

• Legislative Proposals
  • Sent to European Economic and Social Committee, Committee of the Regions.
  • National Parliaments check proposals for subsidiarity.
  • Yellow and orange cards can prompt re-evaluation.
• Readings and Trilogues
  • Up to three readings between European Parliament, Council of the EU, and Commission.
  • Trilogues involve key representatives from each institution.

Stage 3: Implementation

• Regulation vs. Directive
  • Regulation: Directly binding at the EU level.
  • Directive: Implemented by national parliaments.
• Comitology Committees
  • Support implementation and ensure harmonization across member states.

Stage 4: Evaluation

• Policy Evaluation
  • European Commission evaluates target achievement and efficiency.
  • Identifies deficiencies and proposes new solutions.

Compliance and Enforcement

• European Commission
  • Responsible for law enforcement.
  • Can initiate infringement procedures at the European Court of Justice if non-compliance occurs.

Conclusion

• The process is designed to be transparent and inclusive, involving multiple actors and stages.

Video provided by the University of Applied Sciences of the BFE Vienna with support from city of Vienna.