The European Council

The Council is the main decision-making body of the European Union.   The ministers of the Member States meet within the Council of the European Union and depending on the issue on the agenda, each country will be represented by the minister responsible for that subject (foreign affairs, finance, social affairs, transport, agriculture, etc.)  

The Council is headed by a President, the presidency of the Council is held for six months by each Member State on a rotational basis.

The Council of the European Union passes laws, usually legislating jointly with the European Parliament and it co-ordinates the broad economic policies of the Member States.

It defines and implements the EU’s common foreign and security policy, this being based on guidelines set by the European Council and it concludes, on behalf of the Community and the Union, international agreements between the EU and one or more states or international organisations. 

The Council also co-ordinates the actions of Member States and adopts measures in the area of police and judicial co-operation in criminal matters.    

The Council and the European Parliament constitute the budgetary authority that adopts the Community’s budget.

Member States

There are twenty five member states to the European Union.   Each member state has votes which it can cast on the way the EU is governed, its laws and regulations etc.  

The number of votes each member state has is set out in Treaties.   The treaties also define cases in which a simple majority, a qualified majority or unanimity are required and of course certain member states hold a veto.  

Distribution of votes for each Member State (from 01/11/2004)

 Source: The European Community website