In terms of function, the Council and Commission act as a dual executive, with the Commission acting as the main executive arm with powers to initiate and monitor the implementation of policy, while the Council has both legislative and executive powers, and is concerned with the longer term policy agenda. The European Parliament act as the second chamber in the legislative process and the European Court of Justice acts as the European Judicial authority. Conceptually, the institutional configuration of the EU has the potential to provide the framework for democracy; the citizens of EU democratically elect national governments who in turn represent the citizens in the Council, while Members of The European Parliament are elected democratically in European elections. With respect to the European Court of Justice, citizen's successes and failures in their respective National Courts effects the development of EU law. Alongside the aforementioned direct impacts of the European citizens, the allegiance to interest groups and political parties provides the resources required by intermediary organisations to have an effect at a European level.
In reality however, it is these very institutions and their remote, elite-driven and unaccountable nature, which proves to be at the heart of the democratic deficit. .
The European Commission can be viewed as the manifestation of euro-supranationalism, with responsibilities ranging from drafting and arbitrating in the legislative process to managing the EU budget. Yet despite its substantial, and increasing power, the Commission's legitimacy as an accountable and democratically elected body is questionable at best. The College of Commissioners (the "core executive" ), and the directorate-general, which make up the decision making body within the Commission, are not appointed by the people but by national government. One must therefore question the grounds by which appointments are made, and its effect on the proclamation of the EU Treaty that "The members of the Commission shall, in the general interests of the Community, be completely independent in the performance of their duties .
