02EU Parliament: Historical Changes and Functions

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Questions and Answers

What was the significant change regarding the EU Parliament established by the Maastricht Treaty?

It was composed of representatives of the citizens of the European Union. (correct)

It limited voting rights to only certain member states.

It replaced the Assembly with new regulations.

It included representatives of the member states only.

What is the duration of the mandate for the EU Parliament?

Four years

Seven years

Six years

Five years (correct)

Which treaty first established the direct election of the EU Parliament?

Maastricht Treaty

Treaty of Lisbon

Election Act of 1976 (correct)

Treaty of Rome

What is the role of the EU Parliament in relation to the Commission according to the Treaty of Lisbon?

To approve the appointment of the Commission. Signup and view all the answers

What is one reason why the participation in the Assembly was often seen as secondary according to historical context?

Members preferred local governance issues. Signup and view all the answers

What must the Council do to adopt a uniform electoral procedure for the EU Parliament?

Reach a unanimous decision. Signup and view all the answers

What defines the eligibility to be elected to the EU Parliament?

Possession of EU citizenship. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an area where unanimity is still required in voting?

Common Foreign and Security Policy Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of the Council in terms of Member States' policies?

To coordinate the policies of Member States Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a part of the Council's executive functions?

Creating new EU treaties Signup and view all the answers

Which body primarily participates in formulating Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP)?

The Council Signup and view all the answers

How many specialized configurations does the Council have based on the agenda?

10 Signup and view all the answers

What voting system replaced unanimity as the general way of voting in the Council?

Qualified majority voting Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of Member States is required for a qualified majority vote when the Council is acting on a Commission proposal?

55% Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following configurations is specifically for ministers from countries using the EURO?

Eurogroup Signup and view all the answers

What must be true for a blocking minority to occur in the Council's decision-making?

At least four Member States must oppose Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following accurately describes COREPER?

Divided into COREPER 1 and COREPER 2 for different questions Signup and view all the answers

What role does the rotating presidency of the Council serve?

It organizes meetings and ensures coherence Signup and view all the answers

What is the duration of the office held by the President of the European Council?

2.5 years Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a primary task of the European Council?

Define general political directions and priorities Signup and view all the answers

Which role does NOT have voting rights within the European Council?

President of the Commission Signup and view all the answers

What does the European Council primarily decide regarding the EU Parliament?

The composition of the EU Parliament Signup and view all the answers

How does the European Council participate in legislative functions?

It does not exercise legislative functions Signup and view all the answers

What role does the European Council have in the procedure under Article 7 TEU?

Determine serious breaches of values by a Member State Signup and view all the answers

What is the highest political forum of the EU?

European Council Signup and view all the answers

What does the European Council NOT do?

Exercise legislative functions Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the roles of the Commission in the EU?

Promote the general interest of the Union Signup and view all the answers

How many members does the Commission currently have?

27 members Signup and view all the answers

What is a key power of the Commission regarding legislation?

It holds a monopoly on the power of legislative initiative. Signup and view all the answers

What is true about the reports generated by the ineffective powers?

They are non-binding. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately describes how the Commission acts?

It acts in the general interest of the Union. Signup and view all the answers

What was decided by the European Council in 2009 regarding the Commission's composition?

The Commission would continue with one member from each Member State. Signup and view all the answers

What does the Commission do in relation to EU law and Member States?

It checks actions of the Member States for compliance with EU law. Signup and view all the answers

How are the members of the Commission appointed?

Appointed by national governments of the Member States. Signup and view all the answers

Which institutions are involved in appointing the President of the Commission?

European Council and Parliament Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the European Council in the appointment of the President of the Commission?

To propose a candidate through qualified majority Signup and view all the answers

How is the candidate for President elected by the Parliament?

By a simple majority of the votes cast Signup and view all the answers

What must the European Council take into account when proposing a candidate for President of the Commission?

The outcomes of the European Parliament elections Signup and view all the answers

Who adopts the list of other Commissioners after the President-elect is chosen?

The Council by agreement with the President-elect Signup and view all the answers

What legal framework governs the appointment procedure for the President of the Commission?

Article 17(7) TEU Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the Commission within the European Union?

It is considered the engine of European integration. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about the Parliament's role in the appointment procedure is correct?

The Parliament's powers in the procedure have increased over time. Signup and view all the answers

What must be proposed for a motion of censure in the European Parliament?

A motion proposed by at least 1/10 of the members of Parliament Signup and view all the answers

What is the required majority for a motion of censure to be approved?

2/3 majority Signup and view all the answers

Who has the right to submit petitions to the EU Parliament?

Any citizen of the Union and any natural or legal person residing in a Member State Signup and view all the answers

How long must a 'reflection period' last after a motion of censure is proposed?

3 days Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of the Standing Committee on Petitions?

Prepare reports and propose resolutions for Parliament Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary aim of the European Ombudsman?

To improve the protection of citizens and enhance transparency Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following accurately describes the status of the European Ombudsman?

Independent from the Parliament after being appointed Signup and view all the answers

What triggers the obligation for the entire Commission to resign?

Approval of a motion of censure Signup and view all the answers

In what situation are citizens most likely to use the petition instrument?

To report breaches of EU law or maladministration by Member States Signup and view all the answers

What best describes the status of the motion of censure in the European Parliament?

An exceptional instrument that has never been used Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Institutional Framework of the European Union - Part I

The institutional framework of the European Union is a "multilevel" discipline
Article 13 TEU lists the 7 institutions
Articles 14-19 TEU provide basic descriptions of the institutions, their characteristics, powers, and competences
More details are found in Articles 223-234 (EU Parliament) to 251-287 (ECJ) of the TFEU
Protocols provide further detailed rules (e.g., Protocol 3 - Statute of the ECJ)
Several institutions have enacted legal acts dealing with their internal rules

The European Council (Article 15 TEU - Articles 235-236 TFEU)

The European Council is distinguished from the Council and the Council of Europe
Early history: Informal summits of Heads of State or Governments (first in Paris, 1971; regular meetings since 1974)
Progressive formal recognition of its role (mentioned in the Single European Act, 1986; became a body of the EU, Maastricht Treaty, 1992)
Became a formal institution in 2009 (Lisbon Treaty) with its seat in Brussels

European Council - Composition

Heads of State or Government of each Member State, with voting rights
President is appointed by the European Council, voting by qualified majority, for 2.5 years (renewable once)
President presides over and coordinates meetings; ensures continuity of work & relations
President has no voting rights and is incompatible with any other national office
Other members (Heads of State/Government) have voting rights

European Council - Tasks and Powers

Provides the Union with necessary political impetus for development
Defines general political directions and priorities (Article 15 TFEU)
Has a role in the procedure outlined in Article 7 TEU
Approves conclusions and decisions at the end of each meeting; determines composition of EU institutions; sets modalities of presidency rotation.
Does not exercise legislative functions

European Council - Decision Making

Decisions are made by consensus unless the treaties provide otherwise
Qualified majority voting is sometimes required (e.g., for electing the President or in specific cases)
The proceedings aren't published, but conclusions can be issued.

EU Parliament (Article 14 TEU - Articles 223-236 TFEU)

Replaces the Assembly, guaranteeing democratic representation
Had limited powers under the Treaty of Rome
Election by direct universal suffrage since 1976 (elections in 1979)
EU Parliament became the institution representing the peoples of the States within the Community (Maastricht Treaty) & citizens of the European Union (Treaty of Lisbon, 2009)
Became the explicit expression of direct relations between the Union and its citizens.

EU Parliament - Legislative Term

Mandate of 5 years, like the Commission
A relation of confidence between the Commission and the Parliament (the Treaty of Lisbon).
Has the right to approve the Commission and the power to bring a motion of censure
Right of eligibility to be elected to the European Parliament is conferred by EU citizenship

EU Parliament - Election

The Council can decide upon a uniform EU election procedure
May 2022: Proposal for a Council regulation regarding the direct election of EU parliament members by universal suffrage was made
Still varies by Member State, but some principles are established; there must be single voting, proportional voting systems (with or without preferences), and dates must be standardized.

EU Parliament - Incompatibilities and Privileges

Being a member of the EU Parliament is incompatible with being a member of a national Parliament, a national government, or another EU institution.
Freedom of movement, and immunity for votes and opinions expressed
Enjoy same privileges as national parliamentarians (equivalence)

EU Parliament - Composition

750 members + President.
Composition divided based on national basis which is degressively proportional; specific minimum & maximum memberships per member state.
The Council can change the composition.
In March 2020, following Brexit, composition was reduced to 705 members.

EU Parliament - Organization

MEPs form political groups based on common political views
Groups organize their functioning & appoint a president/co-presidents & a presidency office & secretariat
Before voting, groups examine relations drafted by committees.
The President isn't bound by group decisions; can vote differently
The groups decide on their own.

EU Parliament - The President

Elected by the Parliament by absolute majority vote (3 attempts), then by simple majority
2.5 years mandate
Administrative, disciplinary power, representative functions
Organizes Parliament works; presides over plenary sessions; expresses opinion at EU Council meetings.

EU Parliament - Way of Functioning

Ordinary annual session divided into periods; monthly plenary sessions
Approval quorum = absolute majority of expressed votes.
Validity quorum = 1/3 of the MEPs; must be requested to check the threshold

EU Parliament - Powers and Functions

Legislative (co-legislative)
Budgetary (approves the EU budget)
Political/democratic control (power to question Commission and Council)
Enlargement of EU membership; Judicial procedures before the ECJ.

EU Parliament - Legislative Power

Today, co-legislator with the Council
Limited power/rights under the Treaty of Rome
Some cases, binding power over the Council in legislation/policy-influence

EU Parliament - Legislative Power (2)

Progressive increase in the EU Parliament's legislative role across treaty revisions
Co-decision & approval procedures gave influence over law-making
Right to ask the Commission to legislate in certain fields.
Limited role in some areas (CFSP)

EU Parliament - Budgetary Power

Limited to being heard/opinion/consultation
Similar status to the Council in adopting the EU's annual budget
Consultation in approving "own resources" of the EU & multiannual financial frameworks.

EU Parliament - Political and Democratic Control

Initially focused on Commission, now extends to other EU institutions
Regular reporting procedure from the Council; year-end report from the Commission
Power to propose legislative initiatives by requesting the Commission.
Questions/debates, which include both oral & written responses granted to members,committees, and groups in the EU Council.

EU Parliament - Motion of Censure (Art 234 TFEU)

Strong instrument against the Commission (obligation to resign)
Procedure: initiated by 1/10 of Parliament, reflected on after 3 days, approved by 2/3 majority
Exceptional case: Santer Commission (1999)

EU Parliament - Petition (Art 227 TFEU)

Citizens and legal entities residing in an EU Member state have right for petition submission on EU activities; the subject must 'directly concern' the individual
The aim is to address issues of citizens/legal entities regarding EU law breaches.
Committee on Petitions prepares a report and may create EU Parliament resolutions

EU Parliament - European Ombudsman (Articles 20, 24, and 228 TFEU)

Introduced by Maastricht Treaty; modeled on German legal role
Independent from the EU Parliament; addresses cases of bad administration in EU institutions
Investigates complaints regarding transparency and democratic accountability, to improve citizen protection in the EU
Reports on complaints' assessment to EU Parliament and the concerned party.
Non-binding reports

The Commission (Article 17 TEU and Articles 244-250 TFEU)

Promotes the general interest of the EU
Guardian of the Treaties; monitors conformity with EU law
Holds a legislative initiative (monopoly)
Executive powers that aren't a prerogative of other EU institutions representing states
Responsible for external representation of the EU (managing negotiations)

The Commission - Composition

One Commissioner per Member State
27 Members
Reduced to 2/3 of the number of member states with rotating appointments
Since 2009, the Commission has been composed of one representative from each member state.
Term of office = 5 years, as the EU Parliament

The Commission - Appointment Procedure

Originally appointed by national governments alone
Now a complex inter-institutional procedure involving the national governments, Council, Parliament, and a future President of the EU
A two-step process; President is appointed first, then the rest of the Commission.
Separate procedures, including public hearings.

The Commission - Who Can Be Appointed

Chosen based on general competence and guarantees of independence
Representative of individuals not Member States
No national government instructions, and must avoid mixing of personal/private interests with public interests.

High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy

Appointed by the European Council (with approval by Parliament and President)
Vice-President of the European Commission
Chairs the Council's Foreign Affairs configuration; participates in EU Council meetings

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Description

This quiz explores significant changes to the EU Parliament, particularly those initiated by the Maastricht Treaty and the Treaty of Lisbon. Test your knowledge on the electoral procedures, mandates, and the roles of various EU bodies. Gain insights into the historical context and functions of the EU Parliament.