Structure of the EU Flashcards
Describe the Structure of the European Commission
27 Commissioners, One for each MS
- Commission President: is proposed by the European Council and elected by the EP
- Commissioners are chosen by the Commission president and the head of state from each MS
- One of the commissioners is chosen to be the High Representative of Foreign and Security Policy, by the European Council
Describe the organization of the European Commission
About 33,000 Officials
College of Commission: President, High Rep, and one commissioner from each MS
It is the political leadership (what you think of when you think commission)
Administrative Commission: made up of civil servants and staff and handles the day- to day
What is the role of the High Represenative?
Head of the EU foreign policy, VP of European Commission, and is EU Rep in International discussions
What are the tasks of the European Commission?
In treaties:
- right to initiate legislation
- negotiator of international trade and cooperation agreements
- rep of general EU interest
- Competition authority for single market
- guardian of treaties
In practice:
- Many initiatives come from outside the institution
- Could use their position to support or not support their government
What is the organization of the Council of the EU?
1 minister from each MS
In each configuration there is a president, the MS take turns to chair meetings (presidency)
What is the role of the Council of the EU?
In Treaties:
Decide EU Laws and budget together with Parliament
Manages Common, Foreign, and Security policy
Legislative chamber of states and a body where government resolve issues
In Practice:
Meets in different configurations depending on the policy being discussed
Voting:
Uses Qualified Majority voting: 55% of the MS and 65% of population
What is the organization of the European Council
Made up of heads of states from each MS
Also includes President of the European Commission
European Council President: can be any former head of state, but neither of these have voting right
What are the tasks of the European Council
In Treaties:
General political guidelines
Nominates Gov+Board members of ECB
In Practice:
Agenda Setter
Resolves issues not agreed upon in lower levels
What are the powers of the European Parliament?
Legislative Powers: cannot initiate legislation, just can vote yes or no on treaties or agreements brought up by European Commission
Scrutiny: Can questions and cross examine commissioners, ministers, and civil servants
Appointments: Appoints president of the Commission through Vote of Confidence
What is the role of the European Parliament
In Treaties:
Can cover spending not taxation
Can dismiss the commission as a whole
In Practice:
EP can sign off or not on the annual budget selectively
What is the Committee of Permanent Representatives (COREPER) ?
Prepare the work of the Council and try to reach consensus before the Council of the EU meetings
What are the tasks of the European Court of Justice?
Applies and interprets EU treaties
Enforces EU law
Final arbiter in disputes between EU institutions; between EU institutions and member states , and between citizens and EU institutions
Right to fine MS that breach the law
Can only work within EU treaties
What are some key relationships between Institutions
Ability of Council of the EU to impose its views has declined as the European Parliament’s power has increased
European Council’s power to set EU agenda has reduced the commissions right of initiative
The President of the European Council challenges the President of the Commission.
