institutions of the EU

How many states are a part of the EU

27

What does the EU aim to do

To ensure prosperity by removing barriers to free movement of:

• Workers

• Capital

• Goods

• Services

What are the 6 treaties signed by EU members

1. Treaty of Rome 1957

2. Single European Act 1986

3. Maastricht Treaty 1992

4. Amsterdam Treaty 1997

5. Nice Treaty 2001

6. Lisbon Treaty 2009

What did the Treaty of Rome do

Created a European Economic Community

Established the four institutions

What did the Single European Act do

Set deadline for full single market by 1992

Strengthened parliament

What did the Maastricht Treaty do

Gave greater influence to EU parliament

Developed the concept of EU citizenship

Created deeper political monetary union

What did the Amsterdam Treaty do

Schengen convention - open boarders between 12 EU countries

Set framework for 10 new members to join

What did the Nice Treaty do

Reformed decision making

Set limits on numbers of commissioners & MEPs

What did the Lisbon Treaty do

Created high representative for foreign affairs & permanent president

Opt-outs for UK, Ireland on justice & home affairs

Outlined procedure for a state to leave the EU

What are the 4 institutions of the EU

1. Commission

2. Council

3. Parliament

4. Court of justice

What is the composition of the European Commission

• 27 commissioners appointed by the member states - approved by European parliament for a 5 year term

• Seen as the executive of the EU

• Commissioners are independent of national interests & promote the interest of the EU as a whole

What’s the role of the European Commission

• Decide on policy & strategy

• Propose legislation

• Ensure member states follow EU law

• Investigate breaches of EU law & make referrals to the Court of justice - known as the ‘Guardian of the Treaties’

• Drafts EU budget

• Negotiates trade deals on EU’s behalf

• Operates administration of the EU

What is the composition of the European Council

• Main decision making body

• Each member state sends a representative - vary depending on the topic

• Presidency rotates between member states every 6 months

What is the role of the European Council

• Discuss, amend, & adopt laws proposed by the commission

• Coordinate policies

What is the composition of European Parliament

• 705 Members of European Parliament

• Elected every 5 years, they form groups along political lines, not national

What is the role of European Parliament

• Supervises the commission, it can veto or dismiss appointments to the commission

• Approves commissions budgets

• Reports on the council 3 times a year

• Can bring actions against other EU institutions if they fail to follow EU law

What is the role of European parliament in law making

• meets monthly to debate issues

• Makes decisions with the council

• Approve or reject the commission’s proposals

What is the composition of the European court of justice

• 27 judges, one from each member state

• 11 judges sit for very important cases

• 3-5 judges sit in more routine cases

• Appointed from leading academics& holders of high judicial office in their own countries

• Serve 6 year terms

What is the role of the European court of justice

• Ensures member states & institutions observe EU law

• Interprets & applies treaties under A19 of the treaty of the EU

• Resolves disputes between member states & institutions

• Takes action against institutions on behalf of those whose rights have been infringed

• Assists national courts in reaching decisions

What cases do the CJEU hear

• Resolving disputes over EU law

• Cases against member states & European institutions that can be brought by the commission or other member states

What is the CJEU’s supervisory role

• Ensuring EU law is consistently applied throughout the EU

• Domestic courts can refer cases for a preliminary ruling under A267 TFEU - must be made where no domestic appeal is available

• Rule on the point of law & its left to the domestic court to implement it

What is stated in Cilfit v Minister of Heath

A final domestic appeal court must make an A267 referral unless:

1. The question raised in irrelevant

2. The provision of EU law has already been interpreted by the CJEU

3. The correct interpretation is so clear there is no room for reasonable doubt