Why can the Commission propose legislation but not simply pass it?
Because the member states designed it that way, and they had reasons.
By Nina Marchetti · Filed Wednesday, 29 July 2026 · Last updated 12:35 CET
What happened
The Commission is not elected directly. Under the treaties it holds the right of initiative, while legislative power sits with the Council, made up of national ministers, and the directly elected European Parliament.
Why it matters
This is the single most misunderstood fact about the EU, and it explains most of why decisions take as long as they do.
The Brussels angle
A Commission that could legislate alone would be a government without an electorate. Nobody in any capital wanted that, then or now.
What happens next
Read next: what does an MEP actually do?
Explainer Desk Editor · EU 101 and What It Means
Nina MarchettiNina Marchetti edits the Explainer Desk, turning complicated EU announcements into plain English for readers who have never sat through a Commission briefing.
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