This article is part of the series
Politics and government of
the European UnionThe European Union is a unique entity possessing elements of intergovernmentalism, supranationalism and a multi-party parliamentary democracy. Issues such as foreign affairs are currently conducted primarily between member states.
As per the Maastricht Treaty of 1991, the Union's political scene is divided into three pillars; the European Community, which is the Supranational element, and two primarily intergovernmental elements; the Common Foreign and Security Policy and Police and Judicial Co-operation in Criminal Matters. Although it should be noted that the latter two have supranational elements, although not as strong as in the Community.
The powers afforded to the Union fall within one of these pillars. More sensitive areas are pooled into the primarily intergovernmental pillars. The Union rarely has exclusive control over an area even in the Community pillar.[1] (For details of the powers, see The three pillars)
