Institut předsednictví Evropské unie – principy, problémy a reforma
The EU Presidency: Principles, problems, and reform

Summary/Abstract: This article focuses on the Presidency of the Council of Ministers of the European Union (EU). It aims to discern the different possibilities for fulfilling the Presidency’s functions after the adoption of the so-called European constitution. The article is divided into two parts. The first part examines the development of the Presidency up to the adoption of the Nice Treaty, and then identifies the basic functions of the Council Presidency as they developed over the last century. These are: external and internal representation, negotiations, setting political priorities, and the promotion of national interests. The main issues and proposals for reform are then introduced. The second part of the article deals with the Presidency and the so-called European constitution. The introduction of ‘Team Presidency’, as well as the role of the President as presented by the constitution, erodes the current form of the Presidency. Consequently, it disrupts and changes the functions that have so far resided with the Presidency.

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