Podcast
Questions and Answers
How often are EU citizens allowed to elect the European Parliament members?
How often are EU citizens allowed to elect the European Parliament members?
What is the main power of the European Parliament?
What is the main power of the European Parliament?
Who sets the EU's overall direction and priorities?
Who sets the EU's overall direction and priorities?
Who is responsible for proposing new EU laws and policies?
Who is responsible for proposing new EU laws and policies?
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What is the main function of the European Court of Justice?
What is the main function of the European Court of Justice?
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What is the European Central Bank's main responsibility?
What is the European Central Bank's main responsibility?
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What is the purpose of the Court of Auditors?
What is the purpose of the Court of Auditors?
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How many members are there in the European Parliament?
How many members are there in the European Parliament?
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What is the primary role of the European Commission?
What is the primary role of the European Commission?
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How many commissioners are there in the European Commission?
How many commissioners are there in the European Commission?
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What is the key responsibility of the European Parliament?
What is the key responsibility of the European Parliament?
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What is the role of the Council of the European Union?
What is the role of the Council of the European Union?
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Who sets the EU's overall direction and priorities?
Who sets the EU's overall direction and priorities?
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What is the Court of Justice of the European Union responsible for?
What is the Court of Justice of the European Union responsible for?
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How many judges are there in the Court of Justice of the European Union?
How many judges are there in the Court of Justice of the European Union?
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What is the European Council responsible for?
What is the European Council responsible for?
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What is the primary concern of Eurosceptics regarding the EU?
What is the primary concern of Eurosceptics regarding the EU?
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What is a key feature of the Single Market?
What is a key feature of the Single Market?
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What is the main benefit of the Monetary Union?
What is the main benefit of the Monetary Union?
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What is a challenge of the Monetary Union?
What is a challenge of the Monetary Union?
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What is the primary benefit of the Schengen Area?
What is the primary benefit of the Schengen Area?
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What is a concern regarding the Schengen Area?
What is a concern regarding the Schengen Area?
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What is a key feature of the Schengen Area?
What is a key feature of the Schengen Area?
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What is the primary reason for Euroscepticism in the UK?
What is the primary reason for Euroscepticism in the UK?
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What is the main function of the European Commission?
What is the main function of the European Commission?
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How many members does the European Parliament have?
How many members does the European Parliament have?
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What is the composition of the Council of the European Union?
What is the composition of the Council of the European Union?
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What is the European Council responsible for?
What is the European Council responsible for?
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Where is the Court of Justice of the European Union based?
Where is the Court of Justice of the European Union based?
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What is the main difference between the Court of Justice and the General Court?
What is the main difference between the Court of Justice and the General Court?
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What is the primary role of the European Commission's President?
What is the primary role of the European Commission's President?
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How many Commissioners are there in the European Commission?
How many Commissioners are there in the European Commission?
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Study Notes
EU Institutions
The European Parliament
- Directly elected by EU citizens every 5 years
- 751 members (MEPs) from 27 member states
- Seats allocated based on population size
- Main powers:
- Legislative power (co-decision with Council)
- Budgetary power (approves EU budget)
- Supervisory power (holds Commission accountable)
The European Council
- Comprises heads of state or government from 27 member states
- Meets at least twice a year
- Sets EU's overall direction and priorities
- Key decisions:
- Appoints European Commission President
- Adopts EU's multiannual budget
- Approves major policy changes
The European Commission
- Executive body of the EU
- 27 commissioners, one from each member state
- Responsible for:
- Proposing new EU laws and policies
- Enforcing EU laws and treaties
- Managing EU's budget and programs
- Representing EU in international organizations
The Council of the European Union
- Comprises ministers from 27 member states
- Meets in different configurations (e.g., agriculture, justice)
- Key powers:
- Legislative power (co-decision with Parliament)
- Approves EU's budget and policies
- Coordinates member states' policies
The European Court of Justice
- Ensures EU law is interpreted and applied correctly
- Comprises one judge from each member state
- Key powers:
- Interprets EU treaties and laws
- Ensures member states comply with EU law
- Resolves disputes between EU institutions and member states
The European Central Bank
- Responsible for EU's monetary policy
- Maintains price stability and supervises financial institutions
- Comprises governors from national central banks
- Key powers:
- Sets interest rates and monetary policy
- Oversees eurozone's financial stability
The Court of Auditors
- Ensures EU's budget is spent correctly and efficiently
- Comprises one member from each member state
- Key powers:
- Audits EU's budget and financial transactions
- Reports on EU's financial management and accountability
EU Institutions
The European Parliament
- 751 members (MEPs) directly elected by EU citizens every 5 years from 27 member states
- Seats allocated based on population size
- Exercises legislative power through co-decision with the Council
- Approves EU budget and exercises supervisory power over the Commission
The European Council
- Comprises heads of state or government from 27 member states
- Meets at least twice a year to set EU's overall direction and priorities
- Appoints European Commission President and adopts EU's multiannual budget
- Approves major policy changes and key international agreements
The European Commission
- Executive body of the EU with 27 commissioners, one from each member state
- Proposes new EU laws and policies and enforces EU laws and treaties
- Manages EU's budget and programs and represents EU in international organizations
The Council of the European Union
- Comprises ministers from 27 member states, meeting in different configurations
- Exercises legislative power through co-decision with the European Parliament
- Approves EU's budget and policies and coordinates member states' policies
The European Court of Justice
- Ensures EU law is interpreted and applied correctly with one judge from each member state
- Interprets EU treaties and laws and ensures member states comply with EU law
- Resolves disputes between EU institutions and member states
The European Central Bank
- Responsible for EU's monetary policy, maintaining price stability and supervising financial institutions
- Comprises governors from national central banks, setting interest rates and monetary policy
- Oversees eurozone's financial stability and supervises banks
The Court of Auditors
- Ensures EU's budget is spent correctly and efficiently with one member from each member state
- Audits EU's budget and financial transactions, reporting on financial management and accountability
European Institutions
European Commission
- Executive body of the EU, responsible for proposing legislation and policies
- Comprises 27 commissioners, one from each member state, headed by a President (currently Ursula von der Leyen)
- Proposes laws and policies, enforces EU laws and treaties, and manages EU budget and funding programs
- Represents the EU internationally
European Parliament
- Directly elected parliamentary institution of the EU, comprising 751 members (MEPs) from 27 member states
- Legislates jointly with the Council of the European Union, approves the EU budget, and holds the European Commission accountable
- Elects the President of the European Commission
Council of the European Union
- Also known as the Council of Ministers, comprising ministers from the 27 member states
- Legislates jointly with the European Parliament, coordinates policies among member states, and adopts laws and policies
- Represents the EU internationally
European Council
- Supreme political leadership of the EU, comprising the heads of state or government of the 27 member states
- Sets the EU's overall direction and priorities, makes key decisions on EU policies and laws, and elects the President of the European Council
- Meets at least twice a year
Court of Justice of the European Union
- Highest court in the EU, comprising 27 judges, one from each member state
- Interprets EU law and treaties, ensures uniform application of EU law, and settles disputes between EU institutions and member states
- Reviews the legality of EU acts
Euroscepticism
- Opposition to the EU and its policies, especially in the UK, driven by concerns over sovereignty, national identity, economy, and EU bureaucracy
- Concerns include the cost of membership, impact on trade, and dissatisfaction with EU decision-making processes
- Examples of Eurosceptic parties and movements include UK Independence Party (UKIP) in the UK, National Rally (formerly National Front) in France, and Alternative for Germany (AfD) in Germany
Single Market
- Unified market allowing free movement of goods, services, capital, and people within the EU
- Key features include removal of trade barriers, standardized laws, and free movement of workers, goods, and services
- Benefits of the Single Market include increased competition, economic growth, improved consumer choice, lower prices, and simplified regulations for businesses
Monetary Union
- Monetary union where member states share a single currency, the Euro, with a single monetary policy set by the European Central Bank (ECB)
- Key features include fixed exchange rates, coordination of economic policies, and a single monetary policy
- Benefits of the Monetary Union include reduced transaction costs, increased economic integration, and simplified travel and trade among member states
- Challenges include loss of national control over monetary policy and risk of asymmetric shocks among member states
Schengen Area
- Border-free zone within the EU where citizens can move freely without passport controls
- Key features include abolition of internal border controls, common visa policy, and cooperation on law enforcement and border security
- Benefits of the Schengen Area include increased mobility and freedom of movement for citizens, simplified travel, and economic benefits from tourism and trade
- Challenges include concerns over security and migration, and strains on social services and infrastructure in host countries
European Institutions
European Commission
- Executive body of the European Union, proposing and implementing EU policies and laws
- Comprises 27 Commissioners, one from each EU member state, led by the President (currently Ursula von der Leyen)
- Has the power to propose new laws, enforce existing laws, and manage the EU's budget
European Parliament
- Directly elected legislative body, composed of 751 MEPs representing EU citizens
- MEPs elected by proportional representation for a five-year term
- Has the power to amend and approve EU laws, exercising democratic oversight of the European Commission
- Meets in Strasbourg, France, and Brussels, Belgium
Council of the European Union
- Main decision-making body of the European Union
- Composed of government ministers from each EU member state, depending on the policy area
- Has the power to adopt EU laws, either jointly with the European Parliament or on its own in certain areas
- Often referred to as the "Council of Ministers"
- Meets in Brussels, Belgium
European Council
- Highest-level political body of the European Union
- Comprises heads of state or government of each EU member state, the President of the European Council, and the President of the European Commission
- Sets the overall direction and priorities of the EU
- Meets at least twice a year, usually in Brussels, Belgium
- Often referred to as the "EU summit"
Court of Justice of the European Union
- Highest court in the EU, responsible for interpreting EU law and ensuring its uniform application
- Composed of the Court of Justice and the General Court
- Has the power to hear cases involving EU law, including disputes between EU member states and the European Commission
- Based in Luxembourg
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Description
Learn about the European Parliament and Council, including their powers, composition, and roles in the EU's legislative and budgetary processes.
