G6 (EU)

Politics of the European Union mini

The G6 (Group of Six) in the European Union is an unofficial group of the interior ministers of the six European Union member states with the largest populations (and hence votes);

Being the largest states they have the greatest votes in the Council of the European Union under qualified majority voting. It was established in 2003 as G5 to deal with immigration, terrorism and law and order [ [http://www.workpermit.com/news/2006_10_27/eu/eu_g6_immigration-terrorism_agreement.htm EU G6 nations agree to fight terrorism and illegal immigration] WorkPermit.com] [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/6648849.stm Reid urges human rights shake-up] , BBC News] . In 2006 the G5 has been expanded to Poland, effectively making it the G6.

Under the third pillar of the EU, Police and Judicial Co-operation in Criminal Matters, powers are largely intergovernmental. Hence the council bypasses the Commission who would usually create balance between the states, for example it would have a monopoly over proposing law (this is the one area where there is no Commission monopoly [ [http://www.euractiv.com/en/justice/police-judicial-operation-criminal-matters-eu-constitutional-treaty-keep/article-117047 Police and Judicial Co-operation in Criminal Matters: Will the EU Constitutional Treaty Keep it Together] , Euractiv.com 08/04/04] ). In the absence of the supranational bodies this majority of states have a great deal of influence over the council in this area, but does not apply to other areas under the European Community.

Nicolas Sarkozy has called on the G6 to lead the Union following the dilution of the Franco-German motor after the 2004 Enlargement [ [http://www.ft.com/cms/s/5ac11fe2-2e00-11da-aa88-00000e2511c8.html Sarkozy calls for 'G6' to lead EU] , Financial Times] . The lack of transparency and accountability of the G6 has been criticised by a number of figures, notably by a report by the UK's House of Lords. [ [http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200506/ldselect/ldeucom/221/22102.htm European Union - Fortieth Report] , House of Lords - Parliament of the United Kingdom]

See also

* List of European Union member states by population
* Democratic deficit in the European Union
* Intergovernmentalism
* Voting in the Council of the European Union
* Police and Judicial Co-operation in Criminal Matters

References