Episode 5: The councils

Play from 0:00 Council of the EU, European Council, Council of Europe. You already know: one of them isn't even part of the EU. That leaves two. And one question: how do 27 countries agree on anything without arguing forever?

Play from 0:17 First, the European Council: the summit. This is where the heads of state and government of all 27 countries meet, like the German Chancellor. Plus the Commission President, and a President of its own who chairs the meetings, currently António Costa. They meet in Brussels at least four times a year. They set the big direction and deal with crises. But they don't pass laws.

Play from 0:41 Then the Council of the EU, also called the Council of Ministers. Together with Parliament, it makes the laws. This is where the ministers in charge meet. If it's about farming, the agriculture ministers come. If it's about money, the finance ministers. Every six months, a different country takes the chair, like in a relay race.

Play from 1:02 So how do 27 countries vote? Imagine 27 people ordering pizza together. Option one: everyone has to agree. That's unanimity. Nobody gets outvoted, but a single no is enough, and everyone stays hungry. That's how it works for taxes, foreign policy, and when a new country wants to join.

Play from 1:23 Option two applies to most laws: the qualified majority. It needs two things at once. First, at least 15 of the 27 countries. Second, those countries must represent at least 65 percent of the people in the EU. That way, the big countries can't simply outvote the small ones, and the many small ones can't outvote the big ones.

Play from 1:46 And blocking? That takes at least four countries with more than 35 percent of the population. Germany, France and Italy together have almost half. But they still can't block on their own. They need a fourth country.

Play from 1:59 In reality, votes are rarely close. Usually, they negotiate until almost everyone is on board. Those talks often happen behind closed doors. But the result of votes on laws is published, country by country.

Play from 2:14 Remember: the European Council sets the direction. The Council of the EU makes the laws together with Parliament. And the Council of Europe? Not part of the EU, but it sends its regards.

Play from 2:26 Now you know all the players. But how does an idea become a law that ends up in every new phone? Take the charging cable. We'll show you in episode six.