1
00:00:00,520 --> 00:00:02,240
We are all part of Europe,

2
00:00:02,240 --> 00:00:05,600
and each of us influences European politics. 

3
00:00:05,600 --> 00:00:07,000
But how, exactly?

4
00:00:07,000 --> 00:00:09,120
The objectives and laws of the European Union 

5
00:00:09,120 --> 00:00:11,000
are the responsibility of the European Council, 

6
00:00:11,000 --> 00:00:12,200
the Commission, 

7
00:00:12,200 --> 00:00:15,640
the Council of the EU and the European Parliament. 

8
00:00:15,640 --> 00:00:17,960
Their formation also depends on us. 

9
00:00:17,960 --> 00:00:20,160
We elect the European Parliament directly 

10
00:00:20,160 --> 00:00:22,920
every five years at the European elections.

11
00:00:22,920 --> 00:00:25,360
We also indirectly impact the EU 

12
00:00:25,360 --> 00:00:28,080
by taking part in Germany’s Bundestag elections. 

13
00:00:28,080 --> 00:00:30,600
Here we elect the Bundestag’s members. 
14
00:00:30,600 --> 00:00:32,360
This determines who becomes 

15
00:00:32,360 --> 00:00:33,800
the head of government 

16
00:00:33,840 --> 00:00:37,280
and thus automatically sits on the European Council.

17
00:00:37,280 --> 00:00:39,840
All EU member states send 

18
00:00:39,840 --> 00:00:41,680
their elected heads of state and government 

19
00:00:41,680 --> 00:00:43,440
to the European Council, 

20
00:00:43,440 --> 00:00:46,480
which determines the EU's central goals. 

21
00:00:46,480 --> 00:00:48,320
Through the German federal government,

22
00:00:48,320 --> 00:00:50,720
we can also impact the Council of the EU.

23
00:00:50,720 --> 00:00:53,040
This is formed by the government ministers 

24
00:00:53,040 --> 00:00:55,440
of all EU countries. 

25
00:00:55,440 --> 00:00:56,560
Its main task is 

26
00:00:56,560 --> 00:00:58,600
to pass EU laws 

27
00:00:58,600 --> 00:01:01,000
together with the European Parliament.

28
00:01:01,000 --> 00:01:02,360
We can also impact the formation 

29
00:01:02,400 --> 00:01:04,120
of the European Commission 

30
00:01:04,120 --> 00:01:06,120
through the federal government. 

31
00:01:06,120 --> 00:01:08,600
Each government of an EU member state 

32
00:01:08,600 --> 00:01:10,840
nominates a member to the Commission. 

33
00:01:10,840 --> 00:01:13,000
Commissioners are independent of 

34
00:01:13,000 --> 00:01:15,520
the national governments,

35
00:01:15,520 --> 00:01:18,520
and keep the common good of the EU in mind.

36
00:01:18,520 --> 00:01:21,080
The EU Commission proposes new laws 

37
00:01:21,080 --> 00:01:24,120
in the European Parliament and the Council of the EU,

38
00:01:24,120 --> 00:01:26,560
manages the budget,

39
00:01:26,560 --> 00:01:30,080
and makes sure that everyone abides by European laws.

40
00:01:30,080 --> 00:01:31,400
It is all of us 

41
00:01:31,400 --> 00:01:34,080
who decide on the EU and its policies. 

42
00:01:34,080 --> 00:01:35,960
Europe is us.