The Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded to the European Union, the move has left many baffled. The committee who decides on the winners of the Nobel Prize said it was recognising the work the EU has done to transform Europe from a continent of war, to one of peace.

However, many have been quick to point out the peace of Europe, after the Second World War, was not won by the EU; but by the work of Britain, America and even Russia- and later by NATO – with America picking up much of the bill. Within Germany itself the nation transformed itself out of the devastation left by Hitler to reject fascism and build a peaceful society and a robust economy.

The awarding of the prize to the EU has caused further anger because of the deep divisions that exist across the continent at this time. As violent riots erupt across European cities, and many see the actions of the EU to be robbing nation states of their democratic rights, questions have been asked as to why the EU is worthy of this accolade.

The award was all the more surprising given the Nobel Prize committee are based in Norway, one of the few European countries not to be a member of the EU. However, it has now emerged the most eurosceptic member of the committee, Aagot Valle, was ill this week, and therefore not part of the decision. Had Valle been present he would have almost certainly vetoed the decision. The committee now has questions to answer as to it’s political ethics in awarding the prize to the EU.

“The award of the prize will stir a massive controversy in Norway,” Kristian Berg Harpviken, head of the Oslo-based Peace Research Institute, told Reuters on Friday. “Many politicians here would see this as undue meddling in the internal affairs of Norway by the Nobel Committee.”

This is not the first time the Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded controversially. In 2009 Barak Obama was given the prize, and in 1994 Yasser Arafat.