4 - History and Institutions Flashcards
(42 cards)
First enlargement
in the 1973, GB, Ireland and Denmark
Second enlargement
Mediterranean states (Greece in 1981 and 1986 Spain and Portugal)
Single European Act
environmental policies, foreign market cooperation, high expenditure on regional development (cohesion policies)
Creation of a single currency
part of trying to control the growth of a re-unified Germany
Denmark and GB opted out because they didn’t want further political integration
Euro is a private currency
The structure of the Maastricht treaty
- European Commission
- Council of the EU (1 minister from each MS), legislative power
- European Council (heads of states/prime ministers), assured agenda setting
- European Parliament (elected) legislative powers
- Court of Justice
COREPER: committee of the permanent representatives of the MS
Principles of the Maastricht Treaty
1) comprise European Community and European monetary union
2) common foreign and security policy
3) cooperation on justice and home affairs, asylum and criminal matters
Principle of Subsidiarity
The EU does not take action (except in areas that fall within its exclusive competencies) unless it is more effective than action taken at the national, regional, or local level
Effect of Central European enlargement
the accession of so many relatively poor countries with large agricultural sectors had a major effect on CAP and cohesion policy
Lisbon Treaty 2007
- abolished the three pillar structure
- High Minister changed to High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy
- co-decision procedure changed to the ordinary legislative procedure
The European Commission members
27 from each country (Lisbon treaty)
26 discussed between president in charge and the prime minister of the state
1 high representative for foreign security policy
European Commission elections
The European Council appoints the commission president, EP gives a vote of confidence
The commission must present itself to the EP for a vote of confidence
How the commission is organized
Two branches:
- College of commissioners (executive commission)
- administrative commission (its permanent services)
Commissioner responsibilities
all the commissioners have their own private offices of around 7 personal advisors
each commissioner is responsible for one or more Directorate General (DGs) or services which relate to your portfolio
The European Commission Tasks
Right to initiate legislation (many come from outside from lobbyists)
Representative of the general EU interests
Competition Authority for the single market
The size of the commission
30 DGs or services, the commissions officials are approximately 33,000
High representative for Foreign and Security Policy
the Lisbon treaty merged 2 previously separated posts
Also the vice-president of the commission
The Council of the EU: Tasks and Configurations
- decides EU laws and budget together with Parliament
- manages the common foreign and security policy
The Council Presidency
rotates each 6 months, take turns to chair council meetings, the chair of the council decides whether and when to call a vote
Who composes the council?
It meets in different configurations based on the policy being discussed
Qualified Majority Voting
55% of states (intergovernative) represent 65% of the population (federal principle)
The Committee of Permanent Representatives COREPER
ambassadors to the EU
prepare the work of the Council, much of the substance of EU policy is decided at this level
Two parts of COREPER
COREPER II - permanent ambassadors who deal with big political, institutional, and budgetary issues
COREPER I - led by deputy Ambassadors who deal with most other issues
European council
Comprised of Heads of State or Government of the MS plus the President of the Commission
The high representative can participate but not vote
The Presidency of the European Council
chosen for 2 and a half years
needs to be a former president or prime minister of a European state, elected by the 27 members of the European Council
