How the European Union works

The European Union has its own lawmaking institutions (the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union) and executive (the European Commission). It also has an independent judiciary (the Court of Justice of the European Union) and a central bank (the European Central Bank). These are supported and complemented by institutions and bodies that hold powers given to them by the founding EU Treaties. o The EU’s powers and decision-making procedures have evolved considerably over the years as the Treaties have been updated. The European Parliament and the Council of the EU must give their approval for new laws in most policy areas. The EU also has its own budget, which it uses to achieve its objectives. The European Parliament and the Council of the EU have an equal say in deciding on the EU’s budget and its long-term spending plan.