lecture 3 (legislative Branch)

Question 1

Can the European Parliament and the Council of the european union (ministers) propose new legislation?

Answer 1

No, that is an exclusive right of the European commission (right to initiative). However EP and COU can request commission to initiate legislation (and it is difficult to reject request).

Question 2

How are MEP (members of the European Parliament) elected?

Answer 2

-Every 5 years directly elected by the people.
-EU citizens have right to vote, and be candidate.
- Citizens can vote for the list of candidates from their country, no
common EU lists.

Question 3

How are MEPs divided?

Answer 3

-Political groups (based on political standpoint of MEP)
-comittees (about certain topic)
-delegations (represent EP externally)
-intergroups (informal bodies)

Question 4

What are the legislative and budgetary powers of the European Parliament?

Answer 4

-The EP exercises legislative functions jointly with ‘the Council’.
ordinary legislative procedure– 90 percent of EU Law.

-The EP adopts the union budget.
-special legislative powers.

Question 5

What are the Supervisory and Control Powers of the European Parliament?

Answer 5

Control over the Executive!
-appointment and removal of the commission.
-Question the commission
-Discuss in open session the annual general report submitted to it by the
Commission
- Set up a Temporary Committee of Inquiry.
- power to litigate

Question 6

What is the function of the Comittees of the European Parliament?

Answer 6

-there are 20 standing/ permanent comittees.
-role of MEPS in comittees:
-amend and adopt legislative proposals.
-draw up reports on MEP’s own initiative.
-organize hearings with experts.
-scrutinize other EU bodies.
-each Committee has a rapporteur for legislative proposal.
-sometimes there are subcomittees for specific issues.

Question 7

Of whom does ‘The Council’ (of ministers) consist?

Answer 7

Consists of ministers of Memberstates.
Convenes in 10 different council configurations (council of interior ministers, justice ministers, etc.)

Art 16 TEU &Arts 237-243TFEU

Question 8

Is there a difference in the ‘strength’ of the role between the European Parliament, and the Council (of ministers)?

Answer 8

No, EPs role has been strengthened over the years and they are now on equal footing.

Question 9

How does the presidency of the council work?

Answer 9

-presidency is held by each Member state for 6 months (order decided by EC).
-3 states share it for 1.5 years
-rn it is Hungary, Poland, Denmark

Question 10

What is the function of the general affairs council?

art. 16 (6) TEU

Answer 10

-ensures in consistency in work of different council configurations.
-Prepares & ensures follow-up to meetings of European Council
-responsible for administrive, institutional, horizontal matters.

Question 11

What is the function of the foreign affairs council?

ART. 16(6) TEU

Answer 11

• Elaborates Union’s external action on basis of strategic guidelines laid
  down by European Council.
• Ensures that Union’s external action is consistent.
• Chaired by the High Representative,Art 18(3) TEU.

Question 12

What are the legislative and budgetary powers of ‘the Council’?

Answer 12

• Ordinary legislative procedure: adopts and negotiates legislative acts jointly with EP.
• Certain special legislative procedures: adopts legislative acts & EP is consulted.
• Council adopts Union’s yearly budget for calendar year together with EP.
  - decision making always on basis of commission proposal.
  -The general law-making power of the Council under Art 352 TFEU

Question 13

What other powers does the Council of minister/union have?

Answer 13

• Coordination of Memberstates policies.
• Concluding International Agreements–COU provides the mandate to Commission to negotiate on behalf of the Union.