Institutions

Question 1

EU Commission- role/responsibilities

Answer 1

• initiation and formulation of policies
  -monitoring of policy-implementation within the member states
  -agenda setting
  -external representation (geopolitical actor): negotiator in international trades/ rep. within international bodies
  -guardian of the treaties
  -mediator within the EU and between the member states

Question 2

EU Commission- structure

Answer 2

-Executive wing (College; cabinets)
College: 27 Commissioner (1 president; 7 vice-presidents, each having a portfolio assigned)
Cabinets: one for each Commissioner; guarantors of coherency and cohesiveness
-administrative wing ( directorate generals (DGs) / services )
Provides policy proposals for the College to consider

Question 3

Nature of the Commission
(+Theories )

Answer 3

-hybrid (both supranational and intergovernmental aspects)
-3 different theories: intergovernmentalist (Commissioner as agent of the MS);
neofunctionalist /institutionalist (Commission has political power separate from national influence)
Principal agent model ( Commission acts independently only on certain occasions)

Question 4

European Ombudsman

Answer 4

-independent body investigating maladministration complaints in EU institutions/ agencies
-Maastricht Treaty