Final answer:
The European Union is governed by several institutions including the European Council, European Parliament, European Commission, and the Council of the European Union, each playing distinct roles in setting priorities, legislating, implementing laws, and upholding the EU's policies and standards.
Step-by-step explanation:
The governance of the European Union (EU) involves several key institutions. First among these is the European Council, which comprises the heads of state or government of the member states, along with the President of the European Council and the President of the European Commission. The European Council's primary role is to set the EU's overall direction and priorities, but it does not legislate. Meetings are convened multiple times a year where leaders discuss broad strategic issues and define policy directions.
The European Parliament is the directly elected body where MEPs (Members of the European Parliament) represent the citizens of the EU across various political groups. This institution has legislative, supervisory, and budgetary responsibilities. It works collaboratively with the Council of the European Union to discuss, amend, and approve laws.
The European Commission, acting as the EU's executive arm, proposes legislation and implements decisions. It manages the day-to-day business of the EU, such as enforcing laws and allocating funding. The Commission is also responsible for representing the EU internationally.
The Council of the European Union is another legislative body that operates akin to the United Nations, with each member state advocating its national interests. Together with the European Parliament, it adopts EU legislation and can commit member states to the decisions it formulates.
EU governance also entails managing conflicts and ensuring adherence to common policies among member states. Issues such as economic regulations, environmental standards, and maintaining internal solidarity post events like Brexit, are indicative of the complex nature of EU governance.