EU and its Institutions Flashcards
Why was EU established?
As a peace project after WW2
What treaty created European Economic Community (EEC)
Treaty of Rome (1957)
What treaty established European Coal and Steel Community?
Treaty of Paris (1951)
What type of organisation is the EU?
Sui generis supranational organisation
What does EU legislation take the form of?
Regulations - immediately binding
Directives - goals to be achieved
Decisions - legally binding
What does the term ‘Acquis Communitaire’ mean?
Collection of common rights and obligations incorporated into legal systems of EU Member States
What 2 European institutions decide on legislation and Budget
European Parliament and EU Council
What are the 4 decision-making institutions leading EU administration ?
- European Council
- European Commission
- Council of EU
- European Parliament
What 3 bodies complement the work of main institutions?
- Court of Justice
- ECB
- Court of Auditors
What determines where EU can legislate?
Treaties
How many Member States does EU have?
27 MS with common goals and values
What is the European Council often termed and why?
EC termed EU Summit as is a high level meeting between leaders in EU countries
How often does EC meet and why?
4 times a year to define overall political direction, set policy agenda and enlargement process
What is EC comprised of?
EU MS leaders and President
What does EC do at Summits?
Adopts conclusions - setting out Council’s position on particular issues
Position of Council
Term of EU Commission?
5 years
What does the EU Commission do?
Represents, articulates, defends collective or general interests of the EU
What is the EU Commission composed of?
- 27 Commissioners (1 per each MS)
- President
- 7 vice presidents
- 33 DGs
- 32k total staff
Who is the EU Commission held democratically accountable by?
European Parliament - has right to approve + dismiss political leadership of Comm
What does EU Commission President do (3 key)?
- Policy agenda
- Areas of responsibility
- Represents EU
What are the 5 key roles of the EU Commission?
- Treaties
- Legislation and policy
- Managerial / executive functions
- Manage EU Budget
- Represents EU
AIMMR
What are Commissioners in EU Commission responsible for?
Interest of EU as a whole (rather than national interests)
What are the 5 powers of the EU Commission?
- Draft proposals for Legislation
- Oversee Expenditure under EU Budget
- Adapt ‘Supplementary Legislation’
- Hold national governments to account
- Regulate competition within EU marketplace
DOAHR
What is the Council of the EU often referred to as?
Council of Ministers
