The Council of the European Union - Supranational Institution or Intergovernmental Conference?

The following paper represents a detailed analysis of the Council of the European Union, the main purpose being to observe if this institution has either the characteristics of a supranational institution, either the characteristics of an intergovernmental conference, or it is in fact a hybrid institution, which combines features from both categories. By using concepts from the neofunctionalist theory, as well as from the liberal intergovernmentalist theory I elaborate a multivariable analysis model in order to observe elements which are specific to supranational institutions, as well as those elements that are representative to intergovernmental conferences. In the final part of the paper, I present a case study based on a decision taken by the Council of the European Union which is representative for the Council. s unique features.