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1. What does it take
to run the Council
of the European Union?
of the European Union?
of the European Union?

2. How does the council
leadership work?
> Presided over by a country, not just one person
> This country’s leadership lasts six months
> 28 member states take turns to lead the council
> Presidency meets monthly in Strasbourg, France

3. What does the
Presidency do?
Presidency do?
> At first considered quite powerless
> Now considered the prime decision maker of the
EU
> Most important laws debated by members
> Make the riskiest decisions

4. A brief history of
leadership
> 1958: Belgium, West Germany
> 1959-73: Rotation of France, Italy, Luxembourg,
Netherlands
> from 1973: Denmark
> from 1977: United Kingdom
> June to December 2013 (now): Lithuania

5. Roles in EU development
> Progressive deepening of European integration
> Profusion of technical/sectoral councils
> Expansion of Coreper influence
> Proliferation of Council working groups
> Impact of intergovernmental cooperations in
foreign/security policy, justice and home affairs

6. Responsibilities
> Presenting a presidency program, reporting on the conduct
of the presidency to EU Parliament
> Preparing and overlooking meetings of the council,
subcommittees and working groups
> Making deals in the Council to reach agreement on
legislative proposals
> Launching policy initiatives
> Acting as EU spokesperson

7. More functions
> Numerous events during six-month presidency
> Five informal council meetings
> Educational function tries to enlighten public
about benefits of EU, especially in Eurosceptic
countries
> Government in Presidency more likely to make
concessions to increase productivity and prestige

8. Dual personalities
> Countries in the Presidency seek both to advance
their own positions and to be impartial arbitrators
> Reconcile national and presidential interests
> Small countries must adapt more to deal with the
strains of Presidency - usually do better job

9. Countering problems:
Trio system
Trio system
> Because countries only get six months, there is
not a lot of time to implement ideas
> Idea of “trio” put forward in 2007
> Three presidencies work on common political
programs in their tenure

10. Past and future trios
> Germany, Portugal and Slovenia
> France, Czech Republic and Sweden
> Spain, Belgium and Hungary
> Poland, Denmark and Cyprus
> Ireland, Lithuania and Greece
> Italy, Latvia and Luxembourg

11. Advantages
> Smaller countries have chance to be heard
> A chance to take the limelight for six months
> Respects equality among the union
0.4 0.5 0.9 1.3
2.0 2.1 3.0 4.4
(pop. in millions)

12. Disadvantages
> Countries have to wait 14 years to regain the
Presidency
> Lithuania 2013... Lithuania 2027
> Highlighting small countries only once in 14 years

13. One more disadvantage
> Herman Van Rompuy is usually
viewed as the face of the EU no
matter which country is in
charge
> His role, President of the
European Council, can be
confused with the country’s role

14. Why two Presidencies?
> Answer: Lisbon Treaty
> Major amendment to the Treaty of Maastricht and
the Treaty of Rome
> Means a politician is chosen to be President of the
European Council for two and a half years in
qualified majority vote...
> ...but countries still chair meetings for six months
each!

15. Spanner in the wheel:
Ireland
Ireland
> Original timetable was to
have all states ratify the
Treaty by 2008...
> ...but Ireland rejected it in a
referendum because it would
impact on their constitution
> Since all states have veto
power, the Treaty was put on
hold

16. Change of heart
> In 2009, Ireland made
concessions with EU
> The whole of the Lisbon
treaty was altered by
these amendments!
> Second referendum
passed easily...
YES
NO

17. So...
> Maastricht Treaty, article 15 (amended by Lisbon
Treaty)...
> “The European Council shall elect its President, by
a qualified majority, for a term of two and a half
years, renewable once. In the event of an
impediment or serious misconduct, the European
Council can end the President's term of office in
accordance with the same procedure.”

18. Ireland’s presidency
> January - June 2013
> Head of State: Edna Kenny (Taoiseach)

19. Ireland’s presidency
> To secure economic
stability
> Investing in sustainable
jobs and growth
> To tackle global issues
as united European front

20. Success
> Angela Merkel (Germany):
> “I would like to give my
heartfelt thanks for an
unusually successful
presidency in which many
dossiers were brought to a
successful conclusion.”

21. Current Presidency:
Lithuania
> Since July 1, 2013
> Lithuania
> Head of state:
Dalia Grybauskaitė

22. Lithuania’s policies
> To make a credible Europe
with a stable financial sector
> To grow Europe through
research and development
> To open Europe to global
challenges and solve them