W1 Concepts - Institutions and Powers

Question 1

How many member states are there of the EU?

Answer 1

27

Question 2

What are the two founding treaties of the EU, akin to a constitution?

Answer 2

Treaty on European Union (TEU)
Treaty on the Functioning of European Union (TFEU)

Question 3

Which of the two founding treaties (TEU and TFEU) takes precedence?

Answer 3

Neither. Each have equal weight.

Question 4

What do the TEU and TFEU do?

Answer 4

Define the institutions of the EU and their powers, including competencies and mechanisms

Question 5

What kind of cooperation is defined in the TEU and TFEU between member states?

Answer 5

“Mutual sincere cooperation”

Question 6

Where are the institutions of the EU established?

Answer 6

Article 13 of the TEU

Question 7

What are the institutions of the EU?

Answer 7

European Commission
European Parliament
Council of the European Union
European Council
Court of Justice of the European Union

Question 8

Which are the lawmaking institutions of the EU?

Answer 8

European Commission
European Parliament
Council of the European Union

Question 9

Who makes up the European Council?

Answer 9

Heads of State/Government of the member states

Question 10

What defines the powers and responsibilities of the European Council?

Answer 10

Art 15 of TEU

Question 11

What is the role of the European Council?

Answer 11

Sets policy direction in broad terms for the EU (e.g. climate change is a priority)

Question 12

Who makes up the Council of the European Union?

Answer 12

Ministers from the governments of the member states
Ministers will be sent if a bill for discussion falls under their national purview (e.g. carbon tax bill -> Environmental Minister)

Question 13

What defines the powers of the Council of the European Union?

Answer 13

Art 16 of TEU

Question 14

What is the role of the Council of the European Union?

Answer 14

Lawmaking function
Commit their government to the policy being discussed
Debate, amend, and vote on proposed laws

Question 15

What is QMV and why is it significant?

Answer 15

Qualified Majority Voting
Means that not all decisions need be unanimous (treaties sometimes stipulate when a unanimous decision is required)
“Majority” is calculated based on each member state’s population, etc

Question 16

Who makes up the European Parliament?

Answer 16

MEPs directly elected by the populace of their member state

Question 17

What defines the powers of the European Parliament?

Answer 17

Art 14 of the TEU

Question 18

What is the role of the European Parliament?

Answer 18

Lawmaking function
Debate, amend, and vote on proposed laws

Question 19

Who makes up the European Commission?

Answer 19

1 Commissioner per member state, each in charge of a particular policy area
Not representing their member state’s interests or a particular party

Question 20

What is the role of the European Commission?

Answer 20

Represent and promote EU policy (not member state)
Monitor/supervise/enforce EU legislation
Legislative initiative

Question 21

What defines the powers of the European Commission?

Answer 21

Art 17 of the TEU

Question 22

Who is head of the European Commission?

Answer 22

Ursula von der Leyen

Question 23

What is legislative initiative?

Answer 23

Right to initiate/propose legislation

Question 24

What is the process for new EU legislation?

Answer 24

It is proposed by the European Commission
Then debated/amended/voted on by both the European Parliament and the Council of the EU (in any order)

Question 25

Where is the competency of the EU defined?

Answer 25

Art 4 and 5 of the TEU

Question 26

What is the Principle of Conferral?

Answer 26

EU only has the powers conferred upon it by the treaties
Silence in the treaties means the EU does not have competency in that policy area

Question 27

Does the EU Parliament have parliamentary sovereignty?

Answer 27

No, can only legislate within the EU’s competency, as conferred by the treaties