Institutions

Question 1

Under Article 13 TEU, how many principal institutions does the EU have, and can you name them?

Answer 1

Seven: European Parliament; European Council; Council of the EU (“Council of Ministers”); European Commission; Court of Justice of the European Union; European Central Bank; Court of Auditors.

Question 2

What advisory bodies assist the European Parliament, Council, and Commission (per Art. 13(4) TEU)?

Answer 2

The Economic and Social Committee (EESC) and the Committee of the Regions (CoR), both in an advisory capacity.

Question 3

How long does each Member State hold the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU, and how often does each state come around?

Answer 3

Six months. Each Member State holds the presidency in turn (on a predetermined order). Because of 27 states, each state holds it about every 13.5 years.

Question 4

What is the “trio presidency” system in the Council of the EU?

Answer 4

Three successive presidencies cooperate to define a common 18-month agenda.

Question 5

Which Council configuration is not presided over by the rotating national presidency, and who chairs it instead?

Answer 5

The Foreign Affairs Council is chaired by the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, not by the rotating national presidency.

Question 6

What is the term length for Commissioners (including the President)?

Answer 6

Five years, coinciding with the European Parliament term, and renewable.

Question 7

How is the Commission President chosen and approved?

Answer 7

The European Council nominates a candidate (taking account of EP election results), and the European Parliament gives consent to the Commission as a whole.

Question 8

What principle is the Commission often called in relation to treaty enforcement?

Answer 8

The “Guardian of the Treaties” — it ensures that Member States comply with EU law and can bring infringement actions before the Court of Justice.

Question 9

When was the European Parliament first directly elected, and how many MEPs does it currently have?

Answer 9

Since 1979; currently 705 (after Brexit) though earlier it had 751.

Question 10

What powers does the Parliament hold over the Commission?

Answer 10

Ratifies the Commission President and the College of Commissioners; can dismiss the Commission by a 2/3 vote; regularly holds Commissioners and Council Presidents to account; must approve the EU budget.

Question 11

In how many policy domains does the Parliament have a veto under the “Ordinary Legislative Procedure”?

Answer 11

About 50% (i.e. in those fields, Parliament has equal legislative power with the Council).

Question 12

What are the two constituent courts of the CJEU?

Answer 12

The Court of Justice (often “ECJ”) and the General Court.

Question 13

What is the term length for judges and Advocates General at the CJEU?

Answer 13

Six years, renewable.

Question 14

How are Presidents (and Vice-Presidents) of these courts chosen, and what is their term?

Answer 14

The judges elect among themselves a President (and Vice-President) for a renewable term of three years.

Question 15

What is the jurisdiction of the Court of Justice vs the General Court?

Answer 15

The Court of Justice handles preliminary rulings (where national courts request interpretation of EU law or validity of EU acts), appeals from the General Court, and Treaty-based actions.

The General Court handles actions for annulment by individuals, companies, and in some cases Member States (esp. in competition, intellectual property, and staff cases).

Question 16

What is the decision-making body of the ECB (European Central Bank), and who composes it?

Answer 16

The Governing Council, composed of the Executive Board (President, Vice President, and four other members) plus the governors of the national central banks of the euro area.

Question 17

Who manages daily operations of the ECB (European Central Bank), and how are they appointed?

Answer 17

The Executive Board (President, VP, 4 members) handles daily management; its members are nominated by the Council after consulting the European Parliament.

Question 18

Who chairs the European Council, and for how long is the mandate?

Answer 18

A President who is elected by the European Council for a (FIXED) 2½-year term, renewable once.

Question 19

Do heads of state or government rotate in leading the European Council?

Answer 19

No — the European Council has a fixed President (not rotating among Member States). The rotating presidency applies only to the Council of the EU.

Question 20

How often must the European Council meet?

Answer 20

At least twice every six months (though in practice more often).

Question 21

What is the term length for members of the Court of Auditors, and how is the President chosen?

Answer 21

Members are appointed for six years (renewable). They elect one of themselves as President for a renewable three-year term.

Question 22

What kind of audits does the ECA conduct?

Answer 22

Financial audits (checking accounts), compliance audits (checking rules are followed), and performance audits (assessing whether funds achieved objectives efficiently)