Institutions

Question 1

What are the EU institutions

Answer 1

Parliament 
Council
Commission
Court of justice EU 
European Central Bank 
Court of auditors

Question 2

Can parliament ever veto legislation

Answer 2

If the co-decision proceedure applies then parliament can veto legislation in some areas

Question 3

What is qualified majority voting

Answer 3

55% of MS agree to proposal and they represent 65% of EU population

72% if proposal not from commission or high representative

Blocking minority must be at least 4 MS

Question 4

In what areas is a unanimous decision required

Answer 4

Tax
Foreign policy
Defence
Social security

Question 5

Can the council amend the treaties

Answer 5

Council can unanimously vote to amend the treaties with adoption following ratification by MS

Question 6

What does the council do

Answer 6

No legislative role

Defines general policy

Question 7

What are meetings of the council called

Answer 7

European summits

Question 8

Who are the members of the council

Answer 8

Gov members of MS

Vary depending on topic

Question 9

How is consistency in the council ensured

Answer 9

General affairs committee

Question 10

Who has final say regarding adoption of secondary legislation

Answer 10

Council

Joint with parliament if ordinary legislative proceedure applies

Question 11

Who enacts regulation

Answer 11

Council delegates power to commission

Question 12

Who tells who what to do? Council or commission

Answer 12

Council acts on commissions proposals but can require commission to draft legislation

Question 13

How long is president of council elected for and what voting method used

Answer 13

2.5 years

Elected by council using qualified majority

Question 14

Can president of council hold national office

Answer 14

No

Question 15

How are MEPs elected

Answer 15

In MS

Question 16

Max number of MEPs

Answer 16

750 plus president

Question 17

Does parliament have to approve of legislation before it is adopted

Answer 17

Yes if ordinary legislative proceedure is adopted

Question 18

What control does the parliament have over the executive

Answer 18

Parliament has right to approve commission and dismiss the enter commission

Question 19

What scrutiny power does the parliament have

Answer 19

Can question commissioners and reject annual budget

Question 20

How are MEP seats allocated to Ms

Answer 20

On population
No more than 96
No less than 6

Question 21

How many MEP seats currently

Answer 21

705

Question 22

What does the commission do

Answer 22

Brings actions against Ms or individuals in breach of EU law
Formulated policy and proposes leg
Implements councils decisions under delegated powers
Manages EU budget

Question 23

How many commissioners per MS

Answer 23

One per MS

Each has portfolio area

Question 24

Can commissioners take instructions for their MS gov

Answer 24

No

Question 25

How are commissioners elected

Answer 25

By president elect of commission and council Approved by parliament 5 year renewable term

Question 26

How are commissioners removed

Answer 26

Parliament can remove whole commission but not individual commissioners CJEU can remove a commissioner on application of council or commission for failure to perform duties or serious misconduct President of commission can require commissioner to resign

Question 27

How is commission president elected

Answer 27

Nominated by council and elected by parliament

Question 28

Courts

Answer 28

``` CJEU made up of Court of justice General court Specialised courts Court of auditors Economic and social committee and committee of the regions ```

Question 29

Court of justice

Answer 29

Interpretation of treaties Preliminary rulings Review acts of institutions

Question 30

People in court of justice

Answer 30

1 judge per MS | Advocate general give non-binding opinions

Question 31

Does c of J always listen to Addvocate general

Answer 31

If no new points of law raised court can teach decision without AG submission

Question 32

General court

Answer 32

Most direct actions | Preliminary rulings

Question 33

Appeal from general court

Answer 33

If serious risk of inconsistency of EU law can appeal to C of J

Question 34

Specialised court

Answer 34

May be set up by council to hear some actions at first instance

Question 35

Appeal from specialised courts

Answer 35

Yes to general court

Question 36

Court of auditors

Answer 36

Performs budgetary functions Audits expenditure Reports annually to parliament

Question 37

Economic and social committee and committee of the regions

Answer 37

Advisory bodies that must be consulted on proposed leg in their areas