BPP Study Manual Chapter 2 Flashcards
What are the institutions of the European Union?
1) EU Parliament
2) EU Council
3) the Council
4) EU Commission
5) Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU)
6) European Central Bank (ECB)
7) Court of Auditors
Where is the European Parliament?
Committees in Brussels, sits in Strasbourg, secretariat is in Brussels and Luxembourg
How many MEPs sit in the EU Parl?
750 plus the president.
How long is the term for an MEP?
5 years
What renamed the European Assembly as the European Parliament?
Single European Act 1987
What powers does the EU Parl have over legislation?
It can request that the Commission submit a proposal to take action in an area
It can veto passing legislation
it can reject the budget
It exercises a supervisory function
How is the presidency of the European Council determined?
it is allotted by rotation
Who makes up the membership of the Council?
The ministers of the MS. Which particular members attends varies with the topic.
What does Qualified Majority Voting attempt to ensure?
That proposals with a strong support cannot be blocked by a small group of MS, and especially can’t be blocked by a small group of countries with a big population
What is COREPER?
Committee of Permanent Representatives. Prepares the meetings of the Council and continues its work between meetings
How does voting work in the Council?
Each country is allocated a certain number of votes according to its population
How many people sit in the EU Commission?
One Commissioner per member state, so currently 27
Who is the figurehead of the EU?
the President of the EU Commission
What is the Commissions primary role?
it is effectively the executive of the EU
What powers does the Commission have?
- propose draft legislation
- shape legislative programme of the Union
- supervisory powers eg to force MS to obey EU treaty obligations
What is the makeup of the EUCJ?
One judge from each MS appointed reneqably for 6 years.
The court elects its own president every 3 years
8 Advocates-General who deliver in open court a reasoned and impartial opinion in most cases. highly influential but not binding.
How many judges will hear a case?
One of:
Chambers - three to five judges
Grand Chamber - 13 judges
Full Court - 15 judges (exceptionally)
Who can bring a dispute to the CJEU?
- a Member State
- an individual, where the issue is of direct, individual concern to that individual
- one of the EU institutions
What are the three main jobs of the CJEU?
- ensuring MS fulfil their obligations under EU law
- ensuring EU institutions act lawfully
- providing preliminary rulings; ie interpretating the law when requested by national courts
What is the General Court?
an independent court attached to the CJEU that decides at first instance a number of actions eg actions brought by individuals against EU institutions. It aims to reduce the caseload of the CJEU
What is the role of the Court of Auditors?
to independently audit the revenue and spending of the Union and to certify that its accounts are legal and reliable
What is the European Council?
Effectively, a regular summit meeting between heads of MS. It serves to produce long- term strategic decisions.
What interests do each of the EU Parliament, Commission and Council represent?
Parliament - the people of the Union
Council - the member states
Commission - the Union itself
Why have the powers and legitimacy of the EU Parliament grown?
direct election of its members and increasing use of the “ordinary legislative” (co-decision) procedure
