The European Union functions through a unique system of four principal institutions that have the following purposes.
The European Council is made up of the Heads of State and Government from each of the 27 member states along with the President of the European Commission. The UK's representative is David Cameron.
The Council agrees the treaties which form the basis for all EU laws.
This is the civil service at the heart of the European Union. It makes proposals for new legislation at European level and implements the legislation agreed by the European Parliament and Council of Ministers.
The Commission is led by a college of 27 nominated commissioners who are appointed for a 5 year renewable term of office. The college is chaired by its president and there are 6 vice-presidents.
European MPs are elected by people of their respective constituencies for a fixed 5 year term.
They approve the president and members of the European Commission and may force the Commission to resign through a vote of censure. The 736 elected MEPs have input into any intended legislation.
The Council of Ministers is the EU's main decision-making body. Council meetings are attended by the Government Ministers from each member state, from a variety of political departments from finance to agriculture to transport.
The Council adopts the laws proposed by the Commission.
An Interactive diagram showing the relationships between various multinational European organisations.
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