The law of european institutions Lecture 1

Which article of TEU explains the different institutions within the EU?

Article 13

Which two main organs are co-legislators?

The European Parliament and the Council of the EU

Who choses the European Parliament?

The citizens

Who does the European Commission represent?

The interests of the European Union

Which main organ can propose laws?

The European Commission

Who does the council of the EU represent?

The member states of the European Union

What are three functions of the European parliament? (Article 14)

Acting as co-legislator jointly with the council, exercising budgetary and advisory functions and exercising political control over the commission

How is de representation in de European Parliament set up? (Article 14)

Degressive proportionality, with a minimum of 6 and a maximum of 96 per member state

What is the international organizational structure of the European parliament?

unicameral body organized into political groupings and specialized parliamentary committees

What are the responsibilites of the council of the EU (article 16)

legislative and budgetary functions exercised jointly with the EP, alongside broader policymaking and coordinating roles

What is the composition of the Council of Ministers (article 16)

Representatives of each member state at ministerial level, meeting in various topic specific configurations

What is the Qualified Majority Voting

At least 55% of Member States representing at least 65% of the total EU population

What is the role of the committee of permanent representatives

they prepare the work and agendas of the council of ministers

What is the composition of the committee of permanent representatives?

member state’s permanent representatives (ambassadors) to the EU

What is the presidency system of the council of ministers

held on a rotating basis among member states every six months, with the exception of the foreign affairs council

Who is the permanent chair of the foreign affairs council

The high representative of the union for foreign affairs and security policy

What are the roles of the European commission (article 17)

exercises executive functions, oversees external representation, holds the exclusive right of legislative initiative and acts as the guardian of the treaties to enforce EU law

What is the composition of the college of commissioners

one commissioner per member state, selected on the grounds of general competence and european commitment, acting completely independently

What key procedural milestones take place under Art. 17(7) TEU for the appointment of the Commission?

• The European Council proposes a Commission President candidate (taking EP elections into account), who must be elected by the EP.

• The Council, by common accord with the President-elect, adopts the list of Commissioner candidates.

• The President distributes portfolios.

• The entire College undergoes public hearings and must obtain a vote of consent from the European Parliament before being officially appointed.

How is the Commission held accountable to the European Parliament

The Commission is politically responsible to the EP. The EP has the power to vote on a motion of censure. If passed by a two-thirds majority of the votes cast, representing a majority of EP members, the College of Commissioners must resign as a body.

Which treaty articles specify the functioning and procedures of the European Commission?

Articles 244-250 TFEU

What is the European Council, who are its members, and what is its primary role?

Heads of State or Government of the Member States, together with its President and the President of the Commission who set overall political directions and priorities

What is the role of the Court of Justice of the European Union

It interprets EU law to ensure uniform application across all Member States and settles legal disputes between national governments and EU institutions.

What is the primary function of the European Central Bank (ECB)?

It conducts the monetary policy of the Eurozone, manages the euro currency, and works to maintain price stability (controlling inflation).

What is the primary role of the European Court of Auditors (ECA)?

It acts as the EU's independent external auditor, auditing EU revenue and the expenditure of the Commission and other EU bodies to ensure sound financial management and lawful spending.

What is a European Agency and how does it relate to the main EU institutions?

A decentralized neutral body established under secondary law to perform specific technical, legal, or scientific tasks

How do European Agencies assist the Commission and Member States in practice?

They provide specialized technical advice, gather and analyze data, formulate technical opinions/standards, and facilitate regulatory cooperation without holding direct primary political or legislative powers.