Institutions of the EU

Question 1

List the Institutions

Answer 1

• Commission
• Council of the European Union
• European Council
• European Parliament

Question 2

Judicial Institutions

Answer 2

• Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU)
• General Court

Question 3

Article 17 TEU

Answer 3

The Commission’s role is to ‘promote the general interest of the Union and to take appropriate initiatives to that end’

Question 4

College of Commissioners

Answer 4

• 27 Commissioners (1 per MS) and President
• Meetings held weekly behind closed doors

Question 5

Directorates General

Answer 5

• represent the administrative arm of the Commission

Question 6

The Cabinets

Answer 6

• Represent the political arm of the Commission
• They liaise with Commissioners and Directores-Generals
• Help formulate priorities and policies
• Keep Commissioners informed about what is happening within the Commission generally

Question 7

Powers of the Commission

Answer 7

1. Direct Legislative Power
2. Delegated Legislative Power

Question 8

Direct Legislative Power

Answer 8

• Can issue directives or decisions
• Ensures that public comply with treaties
• Can issue regulations determining the conditions under which Union nationals can reside in another MS after having worked there

Question 9

Delegated Legislative Power

Answer 9

Adopt non-legislative acts of general application to supplement or amend certain non-essential elements of the legislative act

Question 10

Afrikanische

Answer 10

• Involved importation of bananas into the EU
• 2 million bananas allowed to enter without having tariffs paid on them
• Delegated to Commission to be decided on the basis of traditional trade flows

-German importer sued claiming the Council had exceeded its powers

-Held a distinction between rules which are essential to the subject matter which are reserved to the Council and those of an ‘implementing nature’ which may be delegated to the Commission

Question 11

Power of the Council of the European Union

Answer 11

1. Acts as a forum where MS can consult with each other and coordinate activities
2. Can refer another EU institution to the CoJ for a breach of EU law
3. Can request the Commission to submit legislative proposals
4. Can delegate limited legislative powers to the Commission
5. Power of final decision on the adoption of legislation in most areas of EU policy

Question 12

Powers if the European Council

Answer 12

Develops and defines the political direction/priorities of the EU

Question 13

Powers of the European Parliament

Answer 13

Legislative
- Ordinary legislative procedure
- allows parliament to veto any proposal

Powers over other institutions
- has influence over appointment and dismissal of Ombudsman
- approves the appointment of President of the Commission

Powers of inquiry
- Citizens can petition the Parliament to express views on an issue or seek redress for a grievance caused by an EU institution or national authority

Powers of litigation
- The parliament has unrestricted standing to challenge acts of an EU institution before the CoJ on a number of grounds e.g. lack of competence, infringement on Treaty

Financial powers
- In conjunction with the Council, can set the Union’s annual budget on foot of a proposed draft budget from the Commission