EU governance

The expression ‘European governance’ designates the body of rules, procedures and practices that relate to the way powers are exercised in the European Union (EU). The objective is to strengthen democracy at the EU level and to bring citizens closer to the EU institutions.

European governance is based on the following principles:

• opening up and transparency of the EU institutions;
• involving civil society in decision-making;
• framing and implementing consistent and well-managed policies;
• ensuring a clear, stable and predictable regulatory framework supporting growth and jobs;
• respecting the principles of proportionality and subsidiarity;
• ensuring that each of the EU institutions and EU Member States explains and takes responsibility for what it does in the EU;
• contributing to the global governance debate with a view to improving the operation of international institutions.

SEE ALSO

• Civil society organisation
• Democratic deficit
• European Union
• European Union institutions
• EU law
• EU powers and competences
• Member States
• Proportionality
• Simplification of legislation
• Subsidiarity
• Transparency (access to documents).