How does EU decision-making work?
Decision-making in the European Union often seems unduly complicated. National interests, local demands, European institutions, various stakeholders, and expert committees have a say when rules are made for the EU’s multilevel polity. And when it comes to the multifunctional role of forests, decision-making procedures may also vary depending on which issue relating to forests is at stake.
Who holds the power in EU (forest) decision-making?
Who holds the power in EU decision-making – and in forest policy specifically? Many would point to the European Commission. As “Guardian of the Treaties”, it not only enforces common rules - sometimes against the declared preferences of its 27 Member States - but also holds the sole right of legislative initiative (i.e. the power to propose a new law). This gives the Commission substantial influence over policy agendas, including the framing of forest-related measures and policies.