For a start you have to ask: what is the European Union? Well, the European Council sets the EU's overall political direction – but has no powers to pass laws. It meets every six months and comprises the heads of government of all the member states. They sit and set long-term general strategy and then let the three main institutions of the EU to get on with it. It is currently led by Donald Tusk.
The European Council is not to be confused with another EU institution, the Council of the European Union, also confusingly informally known as the EU Council, this is where national ministers from each EU country meet to adopt laws and coordinate policies.
But it's not the Council of Europe, which is not an EU body at all. The Council of Europe is the continent's leading human rights organisation. It includes 47 member states, 28 of which are coincidentally also members of the European Union.
The European Commission, meanwhile, comprises 28 commissioners, one from each EU country, who provide the Commission's political leadership. Every commissioner has a different role – trade, health and food safety, foreign affairs and the Digital Single Market, for instance. The current President of the European Commission is Jean-Claude Juncker.
Luxembourg is home to the administrative offices. Meetings of the whole Parliament take place in both Strasbourg and in Brussels. Committee meetings are also held in Brussels. Its main function is debating and passing European laws, with the Council of the European Union.
But let's not forget the other bits of this sprawling gravy train.
The Court of Justice of the European Union upholds the rule of European law; the Court of Auditors checks the financing of the EU's activities; the European Central Bank is responsible for European monetary policy; the European External Action Service (EEAS) assists the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy; the European Economic and Social Committee represents civil society, employers and employees; the Committee of the Regions represents regional and local authorities; the European Investment Bank finances EU investment projects and helps small businesses through the European Investment Fund.
Anything to do with the European Court of Human Rights?
No, no, no! The European Court of Human Rights is part of the Council of Europe (see above) and neither is an institution of the European Union and was set up under Article 19 of the European Convention on Human Rights when its first members were elected by the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe.
So there you have it: Your easy guide to the EU and why so few ordinary people understand it, let alone trust it.
