date:Aug 16, 2013
half of the Union;
It adopts the Union's budget, together with the European Parliament.
The Council as law-maker
The EU's laws are made by the Council, together with the European Parliament. In most cases, the Council can only legislate on the basis of proposals submitted to it by the European Commission. It can ask the Commission to submit any proposals it may deem appropriate. Since the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon, a million citizens may also sign a petition inviting the Commissi