Infos from : :http://europa.eu/scadplus/constitution/council_en.htm
The reform of the Council, the body representing the Member States in the Union's institutional triangle, was at the centre of the debates of the Convention and the Inter-Governmental Conference (IGC) . The Constitutional Treaty introduces significant changes affecting this institution.
First of all, the Constitutional Treaty makes a clear distinction between two institutions:
• the European Council , which consists of the Heads of State and Government of the Member States (Articles I-21 and I-22);
• the Council of Ministers (referred to as the Council), which consists of representatives of Member States at ministerial level (Articles I-23 and I-24).
Secondly, the Constitution makes a number of changes to how the Council works.
Thirdly, the Constitutional Treaty requires the European Council to adopt new arrangements for the Council Presidency, based on a system of equal rotation among the Member States. However, it follows from an IGC declaration that, at least in the short term, the current system of half-yearly rotation will be retained.
Finally, the Constitution changes the voting system within the Council to qualified majority voting (Article I-25). This important subject is covered by the factsheet on the double majority.
The reform of the Council, the body representing the Member States in the Union's institutional triangle, was at the centre of the debates of the Convention and the Inter-Governmental Conference (IGC) . The Constitutional Treaty introduces significant changes affecting this institution.
First of all, the Constitutional Treaty makes a clear distinction between two institutions:
• the European Council , which consists of the Heads of State and Government of the Member States (Articles I-21 and I-22);
• the Council of Ministers (referred to as the Council), which consists of representatives of Member States at ministerial level (Articles I-23 and I-24).
Secondly, the Constitution makes a number of changes to how the Council works.
Thirdly, the Constitutional Treaty requires the European Council to adopt new arrangements for the Council Presidency, based on a system of equal rotation among the Member States. However, it follows from an IGC declaration that, at least in the short term, the current system of half-yearly rotation will be retained.
Finally, the Constitution changes the voting system within the Council to qualified majority voting (Article I-25). This important subject is covered by the factsheet on the double majority.