Commission
- Commission meeting (Photo: EU Commission)
A commission is normally a group of people that investigate certain matters or, for example, prepare a new law. The EU uses the word for its main law-making and administrative (executive) body, which exercises legislative, executive and certain judicial powers.
The Commission is the only body in the EU that can propose a new law. This is called the monopoly of the right of initiative. No other organisation or country has established a body with similar competences. The Council can only change a law proposal from the Commission if all member states agree.
Role
The Commission decides the majority of EU rules on its own. However, the most important laws are decided by the Council. The Commission can fine companies and bring Member States to the Court.
Appointment
The Commission is appointed by a qualified majority of the Prime Ministers in the European Council and approved by a simple majority in the EU Parliament. The Commission can be sacked by a two-thirds majority of the EU Parliament. The Commission has a General Secretariat headed by David O'Sullivan and Directorates General.
Activity
In 2002 the Commission met 46 times, sent 516 proposals to the Council and the EU Parliament. These proposals consisted of 54 directives, 193 regulations and 239 decisions.It presented 265 communications and reports and 3 Green Papers.
The Commission heads 1352 committees, sub committees and working groups according to a Swedish study. The expert groups are set up for agenda setting, preparing initiative, mobilising support and building consensus and finally as a fig-leaf when they do not want any action to occur.
Links
See also Censure and Commission President.www.regeringen.se/eso http://europa.eu.int
