Session 7 : The EU’s Institutional Framework

Question 1

What is the European institutional framework?

Answer 1

It distinguishes EU institutions from other EU bodies. It is an expansion used by the Treaty, particularly article 13 of the TEU to enumerate in an exhaustive way institutions that have the character of a EU institution.

Question 2

Define the European Parliament

Answer 2

The European Parliament represents the direct democratic legitimacy of the EU

Question 3

What is the composition of the European Parliament?

Answer 3

The European Parliament is composed of 705 members, elected by means of a direct universal suffrage since 1979. The number of MPs is allocated based on per state quotas, applying a concept of degressive proportionality.

Question 4

How is the European Parliament structured?

Answer 4

The EP has a president elected for two years at the beginning of the term. It is organized in 20 committees which meet during a plenary session.
It is also organized around 7 political groups, which require 25 deputies, and a quarter of the member states

Question 5

What are the powers of the European Parliament?

Answer 5

Co-legislator
Co-holder of the power to adopt the EU budget Participates in the revision process of the primary law
Gives consent for the conclusion of certain international agreements
Control powers over the Commission through a censure vote (never used in practice)

Question 6

What is the European Council

Answer 6

The European Council is in charge of setting out guidelines for the Union, and defining its directions and priorities

Question 7

What is the history of the European Council?

Answer 7

The council was created in 1974 on an informal basis. It became an EU Institution under the Treaty of Lisbon.

Question 8

What is the European Council composition?

Answer 8

It is composed of Heads of State or Government of the Member States, together with its President and the President of the Commission.
The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy shall take part in its work.

Question 9

What are the powers of the European Council?

Answer 9

Can intervene as an arbiter in specific cases
Gives the Union the necessary impetus for its development
Adopts acts of constitutional significance, it can for example question whether a member state is permanently breaching the values of the 2nd article
It appoints its own President and the President of the Commission, the Commission, the High Representative, and the Executive Board of the European Central Bank.

Question 10

Define the Council (of ministers)

Answer 10

It represents national governments.

Question 11

What is the composition of the Council?

Answer 11

Ministerial level, meeting in groups depending on the subject matter.

Question 12

How is the Council organized?

Answer 12

It is organized around several configurations, currently 10, such as the General Affairs Council, the Foreign Affairs Council, with rotating presidency
It works with COREPER

Question 13

What are the powers of the Council?

Answer 13

It intervenes in the negotiation and conclusion of international agreements
An execution function
Co-holder of the power to adopt the EU budget
Co-legislator
Coordination powers

Question 14

What is the Commission?

Answer 14

The Commission is the supranational entity of the EU, it is the central institution for proposing legislation and for securing national government compliance with that legislation. It has been delegated significant law-making powers and is responsible for many of the executive tasks of the Union.

Question 15

What is the composition of the Commission?

Answer 15

1 commissioner per member state so college of 27 commissioner, each assigned a portofolio and thus a given policy area
They are independent beyond a doubt

Question 16

What is the organization of the Commission?

Answer 16

The principle of collegiality

Act in a collegial way and equally involved in decision making.

Question 17

What are the powers of the Commission?

Answer 17

A near-monopoly on introducing proposals for EU legislation
Power to adopt delegated acts or implementing measures (articles 290-291 TFEU)
Execution of the EU budget (art. 317 TFEU)
The guardian of the treaties
Represents the EU within the MS and outside the EU (for instance: WTO or CoE)

Question 18

What is COREPER?

Answer 18

It is the committee of permanent representatives:
COREPER 2 deals with high politics, and the other ambassador of member states.
COREPER 1: permanent representatives and deals with low politics, all the other configurations of the council. In practice, COREPER facilitates the work of the council.

Question 19

What is the principle of collegiality?

Answer 19

It is a principle according to which the Commission is collectively responsible for all Decisions taken and all Commission Decisions should be taken collectively.

Question 20

Key input from the case 29 October 1980, SA Roquette Frères v Council

Answer 20

The part played by the Parliament in the legislative process of the community is an essential factor in the institutional balance intended by the Treaty. → reflect the fundamental democratic principle that the people should take part in the exercise of power through this intermediary body.

Question 21

What is the decision that evokes the democratic importance of the parliament?

Answer 21

29 October 1980, SA Roquette Frères v Council