Structure of the European Union

Flashcards about the European Union Structure and Governance

What is the European Commission?

Executive arm of the EU; Proposes legislation and policies. Represents the EU in external negotiations. One Commissioner from each Member State, headed by a President.

What is the Council of Ministers?

Coordinates member states' policies and defines the EU's foreign policy. Relevant ministers of Member States, with presidency rotating every 6 months.

What is the European Council?

High-level policymaking to set the EU's strategy and budget. Heads of State or Government from each Member State, the President of the European Council, and the President of the European Commission meet twice every 6 months.

What is the European Parliament?

Shares legislative power with the council, exercises democratic supervision of EU institutions, and shares authority with the Council over the EU budget. 751 Members of the European Parliament (MEP), directly elected by EU citizens.

What is the European Court of Justice?

Gives legal judgement on cases brought before it. One Judge from each Member State.

What are the effects of the single market?

Significant reductions in prices, more consumer choice, millions of new jobs, more opportunities for businesses.

What are the four freedoms of movement in the EU?

Goods, services, people, and capital.

What does the Youth Guarantee ensure?

Employment, continued education, apprenticeship, or traineeship within four months of becoming unemployed or leaving formal education.

What are the roles of the President of the European Commission?

Leads the Commission’s work, gives political guidance, calls and chairs meetings, and contributes to debates

How is the President of the European Commission Elected?

Nominated by the European Council and elected by the European Parliament.

Describe a Free Trade Area.

Eliminate internal barriers, keep non-member tariffs/barriers

Describe a Customs Union.

Agree on common external tariff to head off external import arbitrage from fellow member states

Describe a Single Market.

Reduction in internal trade barriers expands market size. Creates investment, so capital and labor are fluid and friction-free

Describe an Economic Union

Coordinated policies on training, education, benefits, etc.

Describe a Political Union.

Common policies in other sectors (like foreign policy and defense). Leads to a political union.

What are the core functions of the European Parliament?

Shares legislative power with the Council of the European Union, holds budgetary authority jointly with the Council, and exercises democratic oversight of other EU institutions.

How does the European Parliament interact with other EU bodies?

Plays an approval and oversight role, engages in co-legislation and budget decisions, and ensures that Parliament’s legislative actions comply with EU law.

What are the core functions of the European Commission?

Initiates legislation, implements EU law, manages the EU budget, negotiates international agreements, and acts as the guardian of the EU treaties.

How does the European Commission interact with other EU bodies?

Submits draft laws, is accountable to the European Parliament, receives strategic direction from the European Council, and works with the Court of Justice of the EU.

What are the core functions of the Council of the EU?

Co-legislates with the European Parliament, adopts the EU budget jointly with the European Parliament, coordinates policies among member states, and develops the EU’s foreign and security policy.

How does the Council of the EU interact with other EU bodies?

Works closely with the European Parliament, receives legislative proposals from the European Commission, implements strategic priorities set by the European Council, and decisions can be reviewed by the Court of Justice of the EU.

What are the core functions of the European Council?

Sets the EU’s long-term goals and strategic priorities, provides political guidance to other EU institutions, appoints high-level positions, coordinates foreign and security policy, and acts as a forum for consensus among national leaders.

How does the European Council interact with other EU bodies?

Provides political direction to the European Commission, does not pass laws itself but influences legislative priorities, coordinates with the Council of the EU in foreign policy matters, and interacts with the European Parliament mainly through the Commission appointment process.

What are the core functions of the Court of Justice of the EU?

Interprets EU law at the request of national courts, rules on legal disputes between EU institutions, can annul EU legal acts, hears cases of failure to fulfill obligations, and ensures that EU treaties and secondary legislation are followed by all.

How does the Court of Justice interact with other EU bodies?

Receives legal references from national courts, reviews the legality of acts adopted by other EU bodies, rules on cases brought by the European Commission, and its decisions are binding on all EU institutions and national courts.

What role does the EU play in international development?

Provides development aid to developing countries and their transition to economic and social stability.