Political Science 263, European Political Economy Spring Term 2004

Simulation: European Union Bargaining (May 28, Friday; May 31, Monday; June 2, Wednesday (if needed))

The European Commission (College of Commissioners: simple majority)

Luxembourg (Montero) (President)

Germany (Alex von Hagen-Jamar)

France (C.J. Griffiths)

The Netherlands (Ben Au)

Spain (Charles Sweitzer)

Sweden (Hannah Simpson)

Poland (Karol Knowa)

The Council of Ministers (Committee of Permanent Representatives, COREPER II with tour de table) Total of 43 QMVs.

(Simple majority or qualified majority (blocking minority requires 3 member states and 12 QMVs); unanimity to amend/reverse the Commission or amend treaties)

United Kingdom (Montero) 10 QMVs (President)

Germany (Nick Kilburg and Michael Moore) 10 QMVs

France (Kate Thornbery and Andrew Little) 10 QMVs

The Netherlands (Dave Lyons) 4 QMVs

Spain (Alex Beauchamp) 8 QMVs

Sweden (Frank Brodie) 3 QMVs

Poland (Lilly Shields) 8 QMVs

The European Parliament (Plenary Session, absolute majority (4 votes) to approve/reject/amend legislation)

Germany (Paul Sanderson-Cimino and Kathy Riddlebarger, 2 votes)

France (Cody Ward, 1 vote) (President)

The Netherlands (Nate Pysno, 1 vote)

Spain (Francis Glover, 1 vote)

Sweden (Charles Davis, 1 vote)

Poland (Luke Muellerleile, 1 vote)

Conciliation Committee: in the event of a conflict between the Council and the Parliament, both bodies can form a Conciliation Committee to iron out differences (requires equal number of Council and EP members).

If the Conciliation Committee fails: the Council may overrule the EP by a qualified majority. The EP can then overturn the Council by an absolute majority. If this last vote fails, the proposal becomes law.