The EU Legislative Process
How the European Union passes legislation through its unique system of Commission proposals, Parliament votes, and Council negotiations.
The Institutional Triangle
EU law-making involves three institutions in what is called the 'institutional triangle.' The European Commission proposes legislation — it has the exclusive right of initiative, meaning neither the Parliament nor the Council can draft their own bills. The European Parliament, directly elected by EU citizens, debates and amends the proposal. The Council of the European Union, representing national governments (each member state sends a minister), does the same.
Both Parliament and Council must agree for legislation to pass. This dual approval requirement reflects the EU's unique nature: it is simultaneously a union of peoples (represented in Parliament) and a union of states (represented in the Council). Legislation must satisfy both legitimacies. No other legislative system in the world works quite like this.