European Council vs. European Parliament

Attribute	European Council	European Parliament
Composition	Comprised of heads of state or government of EU member states	Comprised of directly elected members from EU member states
Role	Sets the EU's overall political direction and priorities	Represents the EU citizens and debates and passes legislation
Meetings	Meets at least 4 times a year	Meets regularly in Strasbourg and Brussels
Decision-making	Makes decisions by consensus	Makes decisions through voting

Composition

The European Council is made up of the heads of state or government of the EU member states, along with the President of the European Council and the President of the European Commission. It meets at least four times a year to provide the EU with general political directions and priorities. On the other hand, the European Parliament is directly elected by EU citizens every five years and represents the interests of the EU citizens. It consists of 705 members who are elected from the 27 EU member states.

Functions

The European Council sets the EU's overall political direction and priorities, but it does not pass laws. It provides the necessary impetus for the development of the EU's policies and ensures the coherence and consistency of the EU's actions. The European Parliament, on the other hand, has the power to pass EU laws, together with the Council of the European Union. It also has the authority to scrutinize the work of the EU institutions and hold them to account.

Decision-Making Process

The European Council makes decisions by consensus, meaning that all member states must agree on a course of action. This can sometimes lead to lengthy discussions and compromises. The European Parliament, on the other hand, uses a system of majority voting to make decisions. This allows for a more efficient decision-making process, as a simple majority is enough to pass legislation.

Legislative Powers

While the European Council does not have legislative powers, it plays a crucial role in shaping EU legislation. It provides guidance and political direction to the EU institutions, which then develop and implement the legislation. The European Parliament, on the other hand, has co-legislative powers with the Council of the European Union. This means that both institutions must agree on a piece of legislation before it can become law.

Representation

The European Council represents the interests of the EU member states at the highest level. It brings together the leaders of the member states to discuss and decide on the EU's political priorities. The European Parliament, on the other hand, represents the interests of the EU citizens. Its members are directly elected by the citizens of the EU and are tasked with representing their views and concerns in the legislative process.

Role in the EU

The European Council plays a key role in setting the strategic direction of the EU and ensuring the coherence of its policies. It provides the necessary political impetus for the development of the EU's policies and initiatives. The European Parliament, on the other hand, plays a crucial role in the legislative process of the EU. It represents the democratic voice of the EU citizens and ensures that their interests are taken into account in the decision-making process.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the European Council and the European Parliament are two key institutions of the European Union with distinct roles and functions. While the European Council sets the overall political direction and priorities of the EU, the European Parliament has the power to pass legislation and represent the interests of EU citizens. Both institutions play crucial roles in the decision-making process of the EU and contribute to the functioning of the European Union as a whole.