chapter 3 Flashcards
Executive tasks
consist of giving political direction, implementing policies and
externally representing the EU. In the EU these tasks are distributed over four
institutions
o The European Council provides political direction and represents the EU
externally in its relations with other countries and international
organizations.
o The Council’s executive role consists of the implementation of policies.
o The Commission fulfils all three executive roles. It initiates legislation, it
implements policies and it represents the EU externally with respect to
specific policies
o The European Central Bank has an executive role in terms of
implementation monetary policy in the member states that have the Euro
as their currency
Legislative tasks
consist of examining, modifying and adopting legislative
measures which provide the basis for EU policies. In the EU the European
Parliament and the Council share legislative powers (bicameral legislature).
Judicial tasks
consist of the interpretation of EU law as well as the adjudication of
conflicts involving EU institutions, member states and all other parties that may
be involved –> court of justice
Intergovernmental institutions
EU institutions that represent the member states: European Council and Council
Supranational institutions
all those EU institutions that represent the general interest of the EU (Commission,
Court of Justice, European Central Bank and Court of Auditors) as well as the European parliament.
tasks of the European Council
- providing political direction
- problem solver and arbiter
- treaty revisions
- appointments (its own president)
Tasks of the Council (of ministers)
represents the member states
- legislator –> co-legislator with parliament
- executive –> responsible for EU’s external regulations trough CFSP
Tasks of the Commission
Promotes the general interest of the EU
- preparing and inititiating legislation
- implementing policies
- external representation
- guardian of the treaties (monitoring)
powers of the European Parliament
- budgetary powers
- legislative –> co-legislator with the council
- scrutiny of the executive –> right ask for questions/information
- appointment/dismissal commission
Tasks of the court of Justice
- reviewing the legality of acts
- establishing infringements (when ms fail an obligation)
- giving preliminary rulings (advice)
The court of justice consists of
- The Court of Justice –> forms the highest court.
- The General Court –> deals with direct actions brought by natural or legal persons seeking the annulment of acts as well as cases brought by member states against the Commission.
- The Civil Service Tribunal –> deals with labour disputes between EU civil servants and their employer, the EU.
Tasks of the European Central Bank
- conducting the EU monetary policy
- maintaining financial stability
- conducting foreign exchange operations and maintaining the eurozones foreign reserves
