session 1 Flashcards
institutions of the EU
which institution of the EU represents the citizens of member states?
European Parliament
which institution houses heads of government?
European Council
which institution represents the governments themselves?
The Council of the EU
what is the primary role of the European Commission within the EU?
The European Commission acts as the EU’s executive body, responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, upholding EU treaties, and managing day-to-day operations.
how is the commission structured?
It comprises one Commissioner from each EU member state, including the President and Vice-Presidents, each overseeing specific policy areas.
What is the main function of the European Parliament?
The European Parliament serves as the EU’s directly elected legislative body, sharing legislative and budgetary authority with the Council of the European Union and exercising democratic oversight over other EU institutions.
How are Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) elected?
MEPs are elected every five years by EU citizens through proportional representation systems in each member state.
What distinguishes the Council of the European Union from the European Council?
The Council of the European Union (Council of Ministers) represents member state governments and shares legislative and budgetary powers with the European Parliament, while the European Council comprises heads of state or government, setting the EU’s overall political direction without legislative functions.
Who leads the European Council?
The European Council is chaired by its President, who is elected for a renewable term of two and a half years.
What is the role of the European Council?
The European Council defines the EU’s general political direction and priorities, addressing complex or sensitive issues that cannot be resolved at lower levels, but it does not enact legislation.
What is the function of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU)?
The CJEU interprets EU law to ensure its equal application across all member states and resolves legal disputes between national governments and EU institutions.
How is the Court of Justice of the European Union structured?
It consists of two courts: the Court of Justice, dealing with requests for preliminary rulings from national courts and certain actions for annulment and appeals; and the General Court, handling cases brought by individuals, companies, and some organizations.
What is the European Central Bank’s (ECB) primary responsibility?
The ECB manages the euro and formulates and implements EU economic and monetary policy, aiming to maintain price stability within the Eurozone.
which institution is regarded as having a double role, as both an engine of integration and a guardian of treaties? (hybrid institution)
the European Commission
which institution focuses on things considered “Chefsache”?
the European Council
which institution has an informal norm of consensus decision-making and play a dual role in legislative and executive decision making?
the Council of the EU
