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Institutions of the EU

Dr. Anja Wiesbrock7/10/2010

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EU INSTITUTIONS AND ORGANS

Article 13 TEU: European Parliament

European Council

Council (of Ministers)

European Commission Court of Justice of the EU

Court of Auditors

European Central Bank

ECSC, Committee of the Regions

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EUROPEAN COUNCIL (art 15 TEU)

New institution Composition:

Heads of State and Government + President ofthe European Council + President of the

Commission Tasks:

No legislative body

Policy priorities, agenda setting

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THE PRESIDENT OF THE EC

New figure in the institutional framework Elected by QM for 2 years

Cannot hold a national office

Tasks Chairs EC

Ensures preparation and continuity of EC work

Facilitates cohesion and consensus within EC

external representation of the EU

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EUROPEAN COMMISSION (17 TEU)

Independent, promoting general interest Composition

Until 2014 1 Commissioner/MS

After 2014 2/3 of the number MS (equal rotation)

Coupled with civil service DGs

Appointment of the President

Taking account of elections of EP

By QMV EC proposes candidate to EP

Candidate elected by EP majority

Vice President = High Representative for ForeignAffairs

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EUROPEAN COMMISSION

Tasks Legislative role: right of initiative

Manages & implements EU policies

Supervises enforcement & implementation of

EU Law pguardian of the Treaties Implementation EU budget

External representation of the EU

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COUNCIL OF MINISTERS (art 16)

Composition 1 delegation per MS

Presidency: 3 MS per 18 months

No loner linked to President EC

Different configurations, e.g. Foreign Affairs Council,

General Affairs Councilp Chaired by Representatives of Presidency

High Representative for Foreign Affairs

Double hat function

Conducts CFSP & chairs Foreign Affairs Council Supported by European External Action Service

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COUNCIL OF MINISTERS

Tasks Legislative function: adopt legislation together

with EP

budget

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QMV in the Council of Ministers

Until Nov. 2014 on COM proposal

255 votes + majority of MS + 62% population

From Nov. 2014

On COM or high representative proposal

55% MS + 15 MS + 65% population

Transition period until 31 March 2017

Blocking minority = at least 4 MS

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EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT (art 14)

Composition 700+ seats

Direct elections

Political Factions

In the future: degressive proportionality Tasks

Decision-making Power

Democratic supervision

Authority over the EU budget

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NATIONAL PARLIAMENTS (art 12)

Control of subsidiarity principle 8 weeks to give a reasoned opinion Yellow card

Contested by 1/3 of national Parliaments

Proposition re-examined (maintained, amended or

withdrawn) Orange card

Contested by > national Parliaments

Proposition maintained by the Commission

The legislator decides before the 1st reading whether

or not to pursue the legislative procedure (majority of in theEP or 55% Council)

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EUROPEAN COURT OF JUSTICE

Court of Justice One judge per MS, 8 AGs

Direct actions/Treaty Enforcement/PreliminaryRuling

General Court Specialised Courts

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OTHER INSTIUTIONS

ECOSOC Representatives of civil society

Committee of the Regions

Representatives of the Regions

Court of Auditors

ECB

Monetary Policy

Independent

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Decision-making procedures

Ordinary Legislative Procedure (formercodecision procedure) (art 294 TFEU)

Commission initiates by proposing an act

Both, Council and EP adopt the act

Council decides by qualified majority

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Decision-making procedures

Special Legislative Procedures Consultation procedure:

Unanimity or QMV in the Council; decision byCouncil with consultation EP

Consent procedure: Parliament can accept or reject a proposal

Council + Commission action alone

Commission acting alone

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Legislative instruments (288 TFEU)

Regulations Binding in its entirety, directly applicable

Directives

Binding as to the result

Form and method up to MS

Decisions

Binding in its entirety for addressee

Recommendations and opinions Not binding

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Cases next week

Van Gend en Loos (Case 26/62) Costa v ENEL (Case 6/64)

Facts of the case

Ruling

Importance/relevance