EU Institutions

Question 1

What article of the TEU lists the EU Institutions?

Answer 1

Art. 13: Commission, Parliament, European Council, Council of the EU, European Court of Justice, European Central Bank, Court of Auditors.

Question 2

Who are the presidents of the EU institutions?

Answer 2

• European Council: Charles Michel
• Commission: Ursula Von Der Leyen
• High Representative: Josep Borrell
• Council of the EU: Hungary
• EP: Roberta Metsola
• ECB: Christine Lagarde

Question 3

European Council: who is it composed of and what does it do?

Answer 3

• Heads of States (C. Michel)
• Sets the EU’s political orientation, how it stands on certain matters
• Can revise treaties but NO legislative power
• Votes for accession and withdraw of States.

Question 4

Commission: who is it composed of and what does it do?

Answer 4

• Commissioners: one per MS (27) + President and High Representative
• Power of Initiative (not for economic and monetary, ECB), Executive role, Representation Function, Guardian of the Treaties.

Question 5

How are the Commissioners appointed?

Answer 5

Proposal of the European Council > EP elects them with qualified majority.

Question 5

Council of the EU:
- What is it composed of?
- What is its role?
- How does it vote?

Answer 5

• Different Councils (Agriculture, Environment, Financial Affairs) composed of the competent ministers of the MS.
• Policy definition, Legislative function and Budget function
• Unanimity, qualified majority (55%, 65%) and simple majority (14 out of 27).

Question 6

European Parliament: what is its composition and its role?

Answer 6

• 720 deputees, President Metsola. Min 6 max 96 (Germany) elected with universal suffrage and structored in political groups and parliamentary committees.
• Co-legislator, Budget authority, Control powers (on Council and Commission), elects the Commissioners, Indirect power of initiative.

Question 7

What are the two types of European Agencies?

Answer 7

1. Execution agencies (exist for a certain time and help the Commission on a matter)
2. Decentralized agencies (more technical, enhance cooperation)

Question 8

The ECJ: what is its composition and what does it do?

Answer 8

• One independent judge per MS + 11 Advocates General.
• There is a General Court and a Specialized Court.
• Preliminary Ruling (from National Judges)
• Failure to Fulfil or Obligation (from Commission)
• Annulment (from Institutions)
• Liability of the EU
• Advisory competence (compatibility of an external agreement with the EU)

Question 9

How does the legislation procedure go?

Answer 9

Pag. 11