Which Treaties were rejected by whom?
Maastricht: DK
Nice and Lisbon: IE;
Constitution of Europe
- Adopted 18 June 2004,
- Rejected by France (29 May 2005) and the Netherlands (1 June 2005)
- 17 MS ratified it.
Lisbon Treaty - democracy
Confirms the 3 fundamental principles of
democratic equality, representative democracy and participatory democracy*;
Art 2 values
human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and human rights, including the rights of minorities
Art 2 values, society
pluralism, non-discrimination, tolerance, justice, solidarity, equality
Enhanced cooperation cases (Art 20 TEU)
- Rome III Regulation - Divorce law (2010 – 16 MS)
- Unitary patent (2013 – 25 MS)
- Property regimes in international couples (June 2016 – 18 MS)
- European Public Prosecutor (2017 – 24 MS) – except HU, DK, IE
Which Art includes mutual solidarity in defence
Art 42
OLP Treaties
Any government, the EP or Commission submits a proposal to the Council. The Council notifies the European Council and the National Parliaments.
If the European Council, after consulting the European Parliament and the Commission, adopts by a simple majority a decision in favour of examining the proposed amendments, the President of the European Council shall convene a Convention composed of representatives of the national Parliaments, of the Heads of State or Government of the Member States, of the European Parliament and of the Commission.
A conference of representatives of the governments of the Member States shall be convened by President of the Council for the purpose of determining by common accord the amendments to be made to the Treaties
Simplified revision Treaties
The Government of any Member State, the European Parliament or the Commission may submit to the European Council proposals for revising all or part of the provisions of Part Three of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union relating to the internal policies and action of the Union.
* PART THREE – POLICIES AND INTERNAL ACTIONS OF THE UNION
The European Council may adopt a decision amending all or part of the provisions of Part Three of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. The European Council shall act by unanimity after consulting the European Parliament and the Commission.
Titles of TEU
Six:
1. Common provisions;
2. Provisions on democratic principles;
3. Provisions on the institutions;
4. Provisions on enhanced cooperation;
5. General provisions on the Union external action and specific provisions on the CFSP;
6. Final provisions.
55 Articles
ECSB tasks
The primary objective of the European System of Central Banks ( ‘the ESCB’) shall be to maintain price stability.
Tasks of ESCB: 1) to define and implement the monetary policy of the Union; 2) to conduct foreign-exchange operations consistent with the provisions of Article 219; 3) to hold and manage the official foreign reserves of the Member States, 4) to promote the smooth operation of payment systems
Art 225 TFEU
European Parliament may, acting by a majority of its component Members, request the Commission to submit any appropriate proposal.
Yellow card procedure
2012, Proposal for a Regulation on the exercise of the right to take collective action (Monti II);
2013, Proposal for a Regulation establishing the European Public Prosecutor’s Office;
2016, Proposal to review the posting of workers Directive.
8 weeks to submit an opinion
EP election turnout
50.74 (vs 50.66 in 2019)
Highest BE (89.01), lowest HU (21.35)
COSAC
Conference of Parliamentary Committees for Union Affairs of the Parliaments of the European Union
1989
European Council first meeting
First ‘European summits’ in Paris in 1961. Name “European Council” as of 1974, decided during the Paris European Summit.
Trios
Introduced 2009
Past trio: France, Czechia, Sweden (2022 – 2023)
Current trio: Spain, Belgium, Hungary. (2023 – 2024)
Next trio: Poland, Denmark, Cyprus (2025 – 2026)
Ireland, Lithuania, Greece (2026 – 2027)
Court of Justices rules on:
Direct proceedings: 1) against a MS for failure to fulfil an obligation; 2) against EU institutions for failure to act or for annulment; 3) other direct proceedings (COM imposing penalties);
Indirect proceedings: preliminary ruling;
Responsibility at second instance – appeals against the General Court.
General Court rules on:
Actions for annulment of acts of the institutions, bodies, offices or agencies of the EU or for failure to act brought against the institutions by individuals or legal persons;
Actions brought by MS against the Commission;
Disputes regarding caused damage, contracts, EUIPO and CPVO;
Disputes between institutions and their staff;
Jurisdiction to give preliminary rulings in some areas.
Court of Auditors
1977, LUX
Chamber I: Sustainable use of natural resources;
Chamber II: Investment for cohesion, growth and inclusion;
Chamber III: External action, security and justice;
Chamber IV: Regulation of markets and competitive economy;
Chamber V: Financing and administering the European Union
1) reliability (financial); 2) legality and reliability (compliance); 3) soundness of financial management (performance)
5.6 % estimated error – 4.2% for 2022; 3.00% for 2021. Adverse opinion on MFF; qualified opinion on RRF.
EIB
1958, LUX
EUR 248.8 billion capital
loans over 25 million directly
EIF
est 1994, since 2000 part of the EIB Group (EIB, Commission, private)
- venture capital and micro-financing for SMEs, particularly new and innovative companies
- guarantees for financial institutions, to cover loans to SMEs
- help for EU countries and those in the process of joining the EU to develop their risk capital markets
Ombundsman
1995, Maastricht
Strasbourg
Emily Oreile - Teresa Anjino
EPPO
2017, operational 2021
24 currently participate ( except DK, IE, HU)
more than 4000 crime reports; over 929 investigations have been opened
