Institutions and decision-making

Question 1

European Institutions

Answer 1

Art. 13 TEU:

• European Parliament
• European Council
• Council
• European Commission
• Court of Justice of the European Union
• European Central Bank
• Court of Auditors

Question 2

EU agencies, offices and (advisory) bodies

Answer 2

• in addition to EU institutions
• some explicitly mentioned in Treaty (Committee of the Regions, Economic and Social Committee)
• some were created through secondary legislation (EMA, EBA, …)
• relevant for lobbying activities and influential, possibly requiring economic and legal knowledge
• European Investment Bank

Question 3

European Commission

Answer 3

• represents interests of the Union
• a topic must concern a European Union (which is relevant for many MS) -> framing an issue
• EC can help overcome deadlocks (MS know decisions are binding and they will not end up with a comp. disadvantage to the other MS)

1. Step: EC proposes legislation (“gatekeeper”)
2. Step: EP and Council look at proposal, propose amendments
3. Step: Adoption of common position by Council + EP

Question 4

European Parliament

Answer 4

• dimension of citizens of the Union

- functions: legislation and budgetary functions, political control and consultation

Question 5

The Council

Answer 5

• consists of a representative of each MS -> representing the interests of MS in the Union
• functions: exercise legislative and budgetary functions, carry out policy-making and coordinating functions

Question 6

The European Council

Answer 6

• consists of heads of states of MS
• provide the Union with impetus for development, define general political directions and priorities (-> not directly involved in legislative procedures)
• meetings occur four times a year (very influential)
• hardest institution to lobby (because MS with deviating interests are involved, also lots of travelling to capitals of MS)

Question 7

The Court of Justice of the European Union

Answer 7

• interpretation and application of Treaties

Question 8

The European Court of Auditors

Answer 8

• examine the financial accounts of the Union

Question 9

The European Central Bank

Answer 9

• maintain price stability in the Eurozone and carry out other monetary actions
• support general economic policies in the EU

Question 10

Legislative procedures

Answer 10

Ordinary legislative procedure:

1. Step: EC proposes legislation (“gatekeeper”)
2. Step: EP and Council look at proposal, propose amendments
3. Step: Adoption of common position by Council + EP

Special legislative procedure:

• can be taken on initiative of MS, EP, ECB, ECJ or EIB
• legislation adopted by EP + Council (or Council + EP)

Question 11

Outcomes of decision-making

Answer 11

Legislative acts:

• regulations (binding, directly applicable)
• directives (binding to end result, national legislation needed)
• decisions (binding to those addressed)

Non-legislative acts (adopted by EC):

• implementing acts (uniform conditions in certain areas needed)
• delegated acts (adoption of by EU law delegated tasks)

Question 12

Decision-making procedure in short

Answer 12

• Commission proposes a legislative act
• Council and European Parliament adopt the act
• Court of Justice interprets and, in case of non-compliance, forces a Member State after a procedure (including the Commission) to comply
• Court of Auditors

Instead, decision-making can also involve ECB, Committee of the Regions, Economic and Social Committee or other bodies.