FINAL EU EXAM
European Parliament (EP) characteristics
- 705 members - Strasbourg, Brussels, Luxembourg
Qualified Majority Voting (QMV)
- At least 55% of states - At least 65% of total EU population - Get both, Double super majority
Why haven't European Parliament (EP) elections become super national
- Candidates run as members of national political parties - no transnational parties
Nature of Council Meetings
- Locked into negotiations - Culture of compromise and mutual accommodation
Two Sources of CJEU cases
- National courts request Preliminary Rulings - Member states file suit to the CJEU (direct action)
Was the Spitzenkandidat process effective at increasing turnout?
Fails to stem downward turnout trend in 2014 and later
Types of EU secondary legislation
Regulations, Directives, Decisions
Democratic Deficit
perceived lack of democratic accountability and legitimacy in the decision-making processes of the European Union.
Presidentialization teleology
refers to a theory that argues that the European Union is becoming more like a presidential system, with a strong central executive and a weaker role for the member states
Sofagate
refers to the controversy that arose during a meeting between EU leaders and the Turkish President in Ankara, where Ursula von der Leyen, the head of the European Commission, was left without a chair, sparking a debate about protocol and gender equality in leadership.
pooled sovereignty (EU)
sharing of decision-making powers between EU member states and EU institutions in certain policy areas. It allows for greater cooperation and efficiency, but also involves a certain degree of surrendering national sovereignty in favor of shared decision-making.
acquis communautaire
the body of laws and regulations new members of the EU must accept before gaining admission
EU Commission's External Representation
- Commissions negotiate international on behalf of the EU - Entertains many countries outside of the EU
What does the council of the EU Do
- Considers, debates, passes legislation (resembles a conventional legislature)
History of the European Parliament (EP)
- Established as common assembly in 1952 - Traditionally weak - Continual push for more decision making muscle - First direct elections in 1979
European Commission (EC) History
- Established by TEEC - Asserted by Hallstein - Timidity after Lux Compromise - Targeted by intergovernmentalists
Trend of commission leaders
- Experienced party politicians - governments nominate people in the party - Governments are not concerned with making the commission a unitary actor but rather to represent their party
The Council
- Head of states - Meets >4 times - Makes Big Strategic Decisions
Political Implications of the Council of the EU Presidency
- Helps keep together fragile domestic coalitions - Sell the EU to it's citizens - Potentially can help presidency negotiating position
How might the EU be more democratic?
- Increase transparency and accessibility of decision-making processes - Strengthen the role of the European Parliament - Enhance participation of citizens in EU decision-making - Encourage media coverage and public debate on EU issues - Increase accountability of EU institutions and officials
The Council Trends
- Increased centralisation executive causing politization why? - Seen as a way to overcome the democratic deficet
Trends in European Commission
- Increased meeting minutes - Four Presidencies
Argument that the commission is becoming more centralised
- Less collective than it once was - Less Inclusive than it once was
Grivences with the The Council
- Meetings traditionally held behind closed doors - Many decisions actually made at COREPER/working group level, behind closed doors - For this reason Some citizens still disappointed
European Identity (Lähdesmäki)
- Mini-Europe (Park with european landmarks) - Parlimentarium (Vistor Center, EP centric) - House of European History (Musuem, not EP centric)
"Affixing the European past to the European Quarter" (Lähdesmäki's)
- Monuments for past heroes (e.g., Schuman) - Preserving authentic past remnants (e.g.,Berlin Wall) - Commemoration of victories and victims- Building names (p. 986) - Information plaques - Exhibition spaces
Factors working against cohesion of European Parliament (EP) party groups
- National differences - EP party group leaders lack the most important tool for punishing dissenters (Removing them)
Elections to the European Parliament (EP)
- Once every five years - Different states have different electoral systems - Proportional Representation
Court of Justice of the EU (CJEU) judges
- One per member state, appointed by European Council (EC) - Six year term, renewable once
Three main types of EU secondary legislation
- Regulations - Directives - Decisions
The Council of the EU presidency
- Rotates EU countries every six months - Leader Country Runs all Meetings - Unfortunately called the EU Presidency
The Council of the EU
- Rotating Presidency - Explicitly intergovernmental whose attendees express and represent the position of their Member State's executive, be they ambassadors, ministers or heads of state/government.
The Council of the EU (Council of Ministers)
- Rotating presidency - Decision Making body - Adopts or emends Commission Proposals
Primary EU Legislation
- Sets out general principles and objectives - Established by treaties, e.g. EU founding treaties
Trend of The Council
- Strengthend - Provides direction for the EU
Challenges of the Quartier Européen (Lähdesmäki)
- The memory project is selective, focusing on male actors and ignoring colonial references and today's multi-ethnic reality. - The politics of belonging in the Quarter excludes various people in Europe, such as new EU citizens, non-EU citizens, and newcomers. - The creation of a European collective place in the reflects the challenges and opportunities that the EU faces.
EU Parliament Budgetary Power
- Use to be limited to just amend/reject - Now has equal power to the council to amend all areas of the budget (bicameral approach)
EU Parliament Powers
1. Budget 2. Scrutinise 3. Appoint and dismiss commission 4. amend/reject commission proposals
Why does the European Parliament (EP) have low voter turn out
1. Parties don't commit many resources to EP elections as to domestic elections 2. Less media attention
Process of Secondary Legislation
1. Proposal by the European Commission 2. Consideration by the Council and the European Parliament 3. Adoption of the act by the Council and the European Parliament 4. Publication in the Official Journal of the 5. European Union 5. Implementation by the Member States.
Ursula von der Leyen Priorities
1. Stronger Europe in World 2. Green Deal 3. Digital Age 4. Economy for people 5. Promote European Life
EU Commission Policy Making Trends
9,000 in the last 35 years they are using their ability
Secondary EU Legislation
= Specifies details and procedures for implementing primary legislation = Adopted by the EU institutions, e.g. regulations, directives, decisions
Court of Justice of the EU (CJEU) Preliminary Ruling
A Preliminary Ruling is a legal procedure used by the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) to interpret and clarify EU law. This procedure can be initiated by national courts when they have doubts or questions about the interpretation or validity of EU law in a particular case
The Quartier Européen (Lähdesmäki)
A place in Brussels whihc attempts to enlivens cultural regeneration by creating narratives linking Europe's and the EU's past with the present.
Spitzenkandidaten
A procedure whereby European political parties, ahead of European elections, appoint lead candidates for the role of Commission President
The message of the European Quarter
A shared European identity and history. Through cultural regeneration, selective politics of belonging, balancing similarities of nation-states' identity-building practices with attempts to build a post-national political and value-based communality.
Whats the advantage of a transparency surplus
Advantages of a transparency surplus include increased trust, improved public participation, enhanced accountability, and reduced corruption.
Court of Justice of the EU (CJEU) advocate generals
An advisor to the judges of the Court of Justice - Currently 8; appointed by European Council after consultation with expert panel - Screen cases, present conclusions, proposesolutions - Kind of "foyer" to the Court of Justice
Eurogroup
An informal gathering of the Finance Ministers of the euro area member countries, at which they discuss issues connected with their shared responsibilities in respect of the single currency.
EU Decisions
Binding legal instruments that are addressed to specific individuals, companies, or member states, requiring them to comply with the specific decision made by the EU institutions.
What's the capital city of the EU??
Brussels
EU placemaking in Brussels
Brussels because it is considered the de facto capital of the EU due to its central location, multilingual and diverse population, and historic role in hosting important international institutions.
Ways to speed up sanctions in Common Foreign Security Policy other than QMV
Constructive Abstention
Constructive Abstention
Constructive abstention is a parliamentary procedure where a member of a legislative body abstains from voting on a particular issue but makes their reasons for doing so known. This allows the member to signal their opposition to the issue while still allowing the vote to proceed without their negative vote
Trade of more accountability in The Council
Current state - mysterious - closed doors Trade off - transparency may lead to ineffectiveness
EU Regulations
Directly applicable and binding in its entirety to all member states and it's people. No need for national transposition. All states must obey after date of legal effect
What was the European Parliament before the Treaty of Rome
European Coal and Steel Community
European Commission (EC) Presidency
Head of the European Commission - Ursula Von Der Leyen - Not a Spitzenkandidat - 2019-2024
Differentiated integration
Is a process where some member states integrate more closely in certain policy areas than others, allowing for greater flexibility and cooperation.
Permissive Consensus
It refers to a situation where people generally accept the EU and its policies without necessarily being very enthusiastic or actively engaged in the EU's decision-making process.
EU Commission Empirical Studies
National Background have a limited effect on commission work - Driven more by responsibility and Professionalism - Heterogenous administration - Collective actor rather than unitary
European Parliament (EP)
One of the institutions of the European Union (EU), consisting of directly elected representatives from all EU member states.
Gradual shaping (The Quartier Européen)
Over time, the area has been shaped by various architectural and urban planning projects aimed at creating a recognizable and cohesive European identity within the Quarter.
General trend of part cohesion in the European Parliament (EP).
Party group cohesion is strong, particularly within the largest party groups
Power dynamic between commission and council ?
Power shifting ftom comission to council since it's better able to coorddinate with national governments
The Council of the EU rotating presidency
Presidency is held on a rotating basis by each of the EU member states for a period of six months. During their presidency, the member state in charge leads the Council meetings, sets the agenda, and represents the Council in external affairs.
EU Directives
Set out a goal that all EU countries must achieve, but leave it up to each member state to decide how to incorporate the directive into their national laws. - Often preferred by the EU since they want to stay out of national politics as much as possible
EU transparency deficit
The "EU transparency deficit" refers to the criticism that the decision-making process of the European Union is not transparent enough and lacks sufficient democratic accountability
How democratic is the EU?
The EU is considered to have a democratic deficit due to its complex decision-making processes and lack of direct democratic representation.
Van Gend en Loos (1963)
The Netherlands had breached TFEU relating to the free movement of goods because they had charged and import tax fro a German glue product. - Established Direct Effect - Which is that individuals could rely on the provisions of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) in national courts
No classical/ancient allusions (The Quartier Européen)
There are few classical or ancient allusions in this place as the focus is more on creating a modern and inclusive space that reflects the values and aspirations of the European Union. The area is designed to be a contemporary symbol of European identity, with a mix of traditional and modern architecture, cultural events, and public spaces.
Do the EU has so many domestic parites (around 188) How does the European Parliament (EP) manage to get anything done ?
These political groups work together to form alliances and coalitions to advance their agendas and pass legislation. They also negotiate with other institutions of the EU, such as the Council of the European Union and the European Commission, to reach compromises and agreements on issues.
Why is the Commision Targeted by intergovernmentalists
They argue that intergovernmental cooperation should be based on voluntary agreements between states rather than on supranational institutions with independent powers, such as the European Commission.
How did the Spitzenkandidat process sought to link Commission leadership to citizens' vote
This process sought to link the election of the President of the European Commission to citizens' votes by allowing each major political group in the European Parliament to nominate a candidate for the position.
Europa Building
Where the European Council meets
Intergovernmentalists
Whereby nation states, in situations and conditions they can control, cooperate with one another on matters of common interest
Permissive Consensus to Constrained Dissensus?
While permissive consensus characterized the early decades of the EU, where people generally accepted the EU without being very enthusiastic, the emergence of more critical and skeptical views towards the EU has led to a more constrained form of consensus, where member states may have fundamental disagreements on certain issues but are still able to reach a compromise and make decisions.
Committee of Permanent Representatives (COREPER) (The Council)
a group of EU diplomats who prepare the work of the Council of the European Union. It consists of one permanent representative from each member state and meets weekly in Brussels
No real "EU L'Enfant" (The Quartier Européen)
a metaphorical expression used to describe the European Union as a young and evolving entity that is still in the process of development and growth. It is often used to refer to the EU's potential and the hopes that people have for its future.
Intergovernmentalists
a theory of European integration that emphasizes the continued dominance of member states in the decision-making process of the European Union (EU).
Supernationalists
a theory of European integration that emphasizes the creation of a strong, centralized European Union (EU) with independent decision-making powers that can override national interests and preferences.
Neo-Functionalists
a theory of European integration that emphasizes the importance of spillover effects in promoting further integration.
Why nobody invokes the Passarelle clause in TEU
allows for the transition from unanimity to qualified majority voting (QMV) in certain policy areas, without having to go through the process of a formal treaty amendment Passerelle clause could be controversial, as it could be seen as an erosion of national sovereignty by some member states.
Role of EU presidents cabinet
assist the President in managing their agenda, providing advice on policy and strategy, and liaising with other EU institutions and member states.
European Parliament (EP) one seat campaign
campaigns for the European Parliament to be based in one location.
Emergency break
cancelling a vote for vital reasons of national policy
EU Parliament High Representative
in Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy is the chief foreign policy official of the European Union and is responsible for coordinating the EU's foreign and security policies.
Court of Justice of the EU (CJEU)
interprets EU law to make sure it is applied in the same way in all EU countries, and settles legal disputes between national governments and EU institutions.
Relais Actors
is a concept used in international relations to describe actors that act as intermediaries between different states or organizations. play a crucial role in resolving conflicts, negotiating agreements, and promoting cooperation between different parties. They can also help bridge cultural or linguistic gaps that may impede communication between different actors.
How is the EU president elected
is elected by the European Parliament, based on a proposal from the European Council, which is composed of the heads of state or government of the EU member states.
European Commission (EC)
is the executive branch of the European Union responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, upholding the EU treaties, and managing the day-to-day business of the EU.
Why is the council the best medium for national crisis
it's more of network for intergovernmental relationships with national governments rather than a higharchy
How does the Council of EU make decisions (QMV)
makes decisions through a system of qualified majority voting (QMV), which is used for most policy areas. Under QMV, each member state is assigned a number of votes based on its population, with larger states having more votes than smaller ones.
What Does The Council of the EU Do
ministers from each EU country meet to discuss, amend and adopt laws, and coordinate policies. The ministers have the authority to commit their governments to the actions agreed on in the meetings.
Golfgate
was a scandal that occurred in August 2020, when it was revealed that several Irish politicians, including EU Commissioner Phil Hogan, had attended a golf society event that breached COVID-19 restrictions.
Constrained Dissensus
where member states may have fundamental disagreements on certain issues, but are still able to reach a compromise and make decisions.
