Week 3

Question 1

European Parliament Composition

Answer 1

705 MEPs
5 years
number defined by principle of “degressive proportionality”
committees, delegations, political groups, plenary, president

Question 2

(EP) Plenary

Answer 2

culmination of legislative work done in committees and political groups
MEPs express their standpoint to COMM and COU
Strasbourg, every month + additional part-sessions in Brussels

Question 3

(EP) Transnational political groups

Answer 3

each must:
comprise MEPs from at least 25% of MS
consist of at least 23 MEPs
hold regular meetings

MEPs max 1 group, or none.

Question 4

(EP) Committees

Answer 4

26 specialized standing committees
amend/adopts legislative proposals
make reports for plenary
hearings with experts
scrutinize other EU bodies
“rapporteur” for every legislative proposal

Question 5

(EP) Delegations

Answer 5

relations with non-EU parliaments
currently 45 delegations
every MEP is member to 1+ delegation

Question 6

EP Powers

Answer 6

legislative (jointly with COU) - ordinary leg procedure, special leg procedure (consultation/consent)
budgetary (jointly with COU)
control of executive (control on COMM)
Supervision (election Ombudsman, citizens can address EP)

Question 7

Council of EU configuration

Answer 7

no fixed members
10 configurations depending on policy area
each MS sends minister of policy area
list of configurations determined by European Council, except:
General Affairs Council
Foreign Affairs Council

Question 8

COU presidency

Answer 8

held by each MS in turn for 6 months
together with previous and next (“trios”)

Question 9

COU overview of powers

Answer 9

legislative and budgetary
coordination of MS’ policies
concluding international agreements
foreign and security policy

Question 10

COU legislative and budgetary powers

Answer 10

ordinary leg procedure
special leg procedure
adopts yearly budget

Question 11

COU coordination of MS’ policies

Answer 11

drafts broad guidelines for economic policies (on COMM recommendation)
monitors MS’ budgetary policies
adopts annual guidelines on employment policy for MS (based on Eur. Cou. conclusions on situation)
adopts recommendations of COMM on education, youth, …

Question 12

COU concluding international agreements

Answer 12

provides mandate to COMM to negotiate, then adopts final decision upon EP consent

Question 13

COU Foreign and security policy

Answer 13

defines and implements these policies, can adopt measures to implement (e.g. sanctions), can launch EU crisis management actions (civil and military)

Question 14

COREPER

Answer 14

“Committee of Permanent Representatives”
COU’s main preparatory body
ensures permanent presence of MS in Brussels
link between national governments and EU institutions
I&II
follow EU’s activities on daily basis
prepare work of COU

Question 15

COREPER I&II

Answer 15

I: “low politics” (e.g. agriculture, fisheries, employment, …)
II: “High politics” (e.g. foreign affairs, economice affairs, …)

Question 16

COU voting

Answer 16

procedural issues: Simple majority
special leg procedures: Unanimity
ordinary leg procedures: Qualified majority