76 Questions
What is the main responsibility of the European Council?
Deciding on the EU's overall direction and political priorities
Who appoints the President of the European Council?
National leaders (heads of state or government of EU countries)
What is the role of the European Council in the EU's law-making process?
It asks the European Commission to make a proposal for legislation
How often does the European Council typically meet?
Four times a year
What is the composition of the European Council?
The Heads of State, or of Government, of each Member State and the President of the EU Commission
What is the Council of the European Union also known as?
The Council of Ministers
What is the main responsibility of the Council of the European Union?
Passing laws and regulations
How does the European Council typically make decisions?
By consensus
What is the main decision-making body of the EU?
The Council
What is the Council of Europe?
An international organisation that upholds human rights, democracy, and the rule of law
What is the role of the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy?
To chair the Foreign Affairs Council
How often are the members of the European Commission chosen?
Every 5 years
What is the purpose of the Council of Europe's flag?
To represent the Council of Europe
Who chairs the Council meetings, except for the Foreign Affairs Council?
The relevant minister of the country holding the rotating EU presidency
What is the required percentage of countries needed to pass a decision in the Council?
55% of countries
How many countries are needed to block a decision in the Council?
4 countries
What is the role of the European Commission?
To exercise executive power
What is the term of the European Commission president?
December 2019 - October 2024
What is the primary responsibility of the European Commission?
Proposing new laws for adoption by the Parliament and the Council
How does the European Commission work?
Through collective decision-making by all Commissioners
What is the role of the European Parliament?
Representing the citizens of the EU
What is the term of the European Parliament?
Every 5 years
What is the role of the European Parliament President?
Giving the final go-ahead to the EU budget
How many MEPs are there in the European Parliament?
705
What is the purpose of European Parliament committees?
To examine proposals for legislation
What is the role of the European Commission in international agreements?
Negotiating international agreements for the EU
What is the College of Commissioners?
The European Commission's political leadership
What can the European Parliament do to the European Commission?
Vote a motion of censure, obliging the Commission to resign
Where are plenary sessions usually held?
In Strasbourg for four days a month, but sometimes in Brussels
What is one of the main functions of the Court of Justice of the European Union?
To interpret EU law and settle legal disputes
What type of case is brought before the CJEU when a national court is unsure about the interpretation of EU law?
Preliminary ruling
Who can bring an action for annulment before the CJEU?
EU governments, the Council of the EU, the European Commission, and in some cases, the European Parliament
How many judges are typically assigned to a case in the Court of Justice?
5
What is the role of an advocate general in the CJEU?
To summarize the case and discuss it at the Court's general meeting
What is the term of office for a CJEU judge?
6 years
What is the purpose of the General Court in the CJEU?
To rule on actions for annulment brought by individuals, companies, and EU governments
Who can bring an action for failure to act before the CJEU?
EU governments, other EU institutions, and in some cases, individuals or companies
What is the purpose of the written stage in the CJEU process?
To allow parties to submit written statements and observations
What is the primary role of the European Court of Auditors?
To look after the interests of EU taxpayers
What is the main focus of the European Court of Auditors' audit work?
The European Commission
What type of audit checks that financial transactions follow the rules?
Compliance audits
What is the purpose of the European Court of Auditors' annual report?
To evaluate the EU's financial management
What is the European Court of Auditors' approach to improving the European Commission's management of the EU budget?
Auditing and reporting on EU finances
How does the European Court of Auditors ensure its independence?
By being free to decide on its audit activities
What is the role of the European Court of Auditors' chambers?
To prepare reports and opinions for the Court members
What happens to suspected fraud, corruption, or other illegal activity uncovered by the European Court of Auditors?
It is reported to the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF)
What is the main aim of the European Central Bank?
To keep prices stable, thereby supporting economic growth and job creation
What is the role of the advocate general in the European Court of Justice?
To provide an official opinion to the judges
What is the role of the European Court of Auditor?
To improve the financial management of the EU and inform on the use of its public funds
What is the Eurosystem?
The European Central Bank and national central banks of EU countries
What is the main decision-making body of the European Central Bank?
Governing Council
What is the purpose of a hearing in the European Court of Justice?
To allow lawyers from both sides to put their case to the judges and advocate general
How can you find the judgement of a case in the European Court of Justice?
Search for a case on the European Court of Justice's website
What is the role of the President of the European Central Bank?
To represent the European Central Bank at high-level EU and international meetings
What is the purpose of the European Central Bank's management of foreign currency reserves?
To buy or sell currencies to balance exchange rates
What is the composition of the Governing Council of the European Central Bank?
The ECB President, Vice-President, and governors of national central banks from eurozone countries
The European Court of Auditors has legal powers to enforce its decisions.
False
The European Court of Auditors audits EU revenue and expenditure to ensure value for money.
True
The European Court of Auditors reports directly to the European Parliament.
True
The European Court of Auditors has the power to decide who to audit and how to do it.
True
The European Court of Auditors focuses primarily on auditing the European Parliament.
False
The European Court of Auditors divides its work into financial, compliance, and performance audits.
True
The European Court of Auditors is composed of members appointed by the European Parliament.
False
The European Court of Auditors gives its expert opinion on how EU finances could be better managed and made more accountable to citizens.
True
The European Court of Auditors reports suspected fraud, corruption, or other illegal activity to the European Commission.
False
The European Court of Auditors' annual report is presented to the European Council.
False
What is the primary objective of the European Court of Auditors?
to improve the European Commission's management of the EU budget
What is the main focus of the European Court of Auditors' audit work?
the European Commission
What type of audit checks that financial transactions follow the rules?
compliance audit
What is the purpose of the European Court of Auditors' annual report?
to report on EU finances to the European Parliament and Council of the EU
How does the European Court of Auditors ensure its independence?
by being free to decide on what it will audit, how to do it, and how and when to present its findings
What happens to suspected fraud, corruption, or other illegal activity uncovered by the European Court of Auditors?
it is reported to the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF)
What is the role of the European Court of Auditors' chambers?
to prepare reports and opinions for the Court members to adopt
What type of audit checks that EU funds achieve their goals with the fewest possible resources and in the most economical manner?
performance audit
What is the European Court of Auditors' approach to improving the European Commission's management of the EU budget?
giving its expert opinion on how EU finances could be better managed and made more accountable to citizens
What does the European Court of Auditors do to check that EU funds are correctly raised, spent, and accounted for?
audits EU revenue and expenditure
Study Notes
The EU Institutional Environment
1. The European Council
- Composed of Heads of State or Government of each EU country and the President of the European Commission
- The European Council sets the EU's overall direction and political priorities, but does not pass laws
- Decides on the EU's common foreign and security policy
- Nominates and appoints candidates to high-profile EU roles, such as the European Central Bank and the Commission
- Can ask the European Commission to propose legislation or pass issues to the Council of the EU
2. The Council of the European Union (Council of Ministers)
- Represents the governments of EU countries and forms part of the legislative power
- Composed of government ministers from each EU country, meeting in different configurations depending on the policy area
- Negotiates and adopts EU laws with the European Parliament, based on proposals from the European Commission
- Coordinates EU countries' policies and develops the EU's foreign and security policy
- Concludes agreements between the EU and other countries or international organizations
- Adopts the annual EU budget with the European Parliament
3. The European Commission
- Exercises executive power and proposes new laws
- Composed of 27 Commissioners, one from each EU country, led by the Commission President
- Manages EU policies and allocates EU funding
- Enforces EU law, together with the Court of Justice
- Represents the EU internationally
4. The European Parliament
- Represents EU citizens and is elected every 5 years
- Has three main roles: legislative, supervisory, and budgetary
- Passes EU laws with the Council of the EU, based on European Commission proposals
- Exercises democratic scrutiny over all EU institutions
- Approves the Commission's work program and asks it to propose legislation
- Examines the European Commission's management of the EU budget
5. The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU)
- Interprets EU law to ensure its uniform application in all EU countries
- Settles legal disputes between national governments and EU institutions
- Gives rulings on cases brought before it, including interpreting EU law, enforcing EU law, and annulling EU legal acts
- Composed of two courts: the Court of Justice and the General Court
6. The European Central Bank (ECB)
- Manages the euro and aims to keep prices stable, supporting economic growth and job creation
- Sets interest rates and manages the foreign currency reserves of the eurozone
- Ensures financial markets and institutions are well-supervised and payment systems work well
- Ensures the safety and soundness of the European banking system
- Authorizes the production of euro banknotes by eurozone countries
7. The European Court of Auditors (ECA)
- Improves the financial management of the EU and informs on the use of public funds
- Audits EU revenue and expenditure to ensure correct use of funds
- Checks any person or organization handling EU funds
- Reports suspected fraud, corruption, or illegal activity to the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF)
- Produces an annual report for the European Parliament and Council of the EU
The EU Institutional Environment
1. The European Council
- Composed of Heads of State or Government of each EU country and the President of the European Commission
- The European Council sets the EU's overall direction and political priorities, but does not pass laws
- Decides on the EU's common foreign and security policy
- Nominates and appoints candidates to high-profile EU roles, such as the European Central Bank and the Commission
- Can ask the European Commission to propose legislation or pass issues to the Council of the EU
2. The Council of the European Union (Council of Ministers)
- Represents the governments of EU countries and forms part of the legislative power
- Composed of government ministers from each EU country, meeting in different configurations depending on the policy area
- Negotiates and adopts EU laws with the European Parliament, based on proposals from the European Commission
- Coordinates EU countries' policies and develops the EU's foreign and security policy
- Concludes agreements between the EU and other countries or international organizations
- Adopts the annual EU budget with the European Parliament
3. The European Commission
- Exercises executive power and proposes new laws
- Composed of 27 Commissioners, one from each EU country, led by the Commission President
- Manages EU policies and allocates EU funding
- Enforces EU law, together with the Court of Justice
- Represents the EU internationally
4. The European Parliament
- Represents EU citizens and is elected every 5 years
- Has three main roles: legislative, supervisory, and budgetary
- Passes EU laws with the Council of the EU, based on European Commission proposals
- Exercises democratic scrutiny over all EU institutions
- Approves the Commission's work program and asks it to propose legislation
- Examines the European Commission's management of the EU budget
5. The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU)
- Interprets EU law to ensure its uniform application in all EU countries
- Settles legal disputes between national governments and EU institutions
- Gives rulings on cases brought before it, including interpreting EU law, enforcing EU law, and annulling EU legal acts
- Composed of two courts: the Court of Justice and the General Court
6. The European Central Bank (ECB)
- Manages the euro and aims to keep prices stable, supporting economic growth and job creation
- Sets interest rates and manages the foreign currency reserves of the eurozone
- Ensures financial markets and institutions are well-supervised and payment systems work well
- Ensures the safety and soundness of the European banking system
- Authorizes the production of euro banknotes by eurozone countries
7. The European Court of Auditors (ECA)
- Improves the financial management of the EU and informs on the use of public funds
- Audits EU revenue and expenditure to ensure correct use of funds
- Checks any person or organization handling EU funds
- Reports suspected fraud, corruption, or illegal activity to the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF)
- Produces an annual report for the European Parliament and Council of the EU
The EU Institutional Environment
1. The European Council
- Composed of Heads of State or Government of each EU country and the President of the European Commission
- The European Council sets the EU's overall direction and political priorities, but does not pass laws
- Decides on the EU's common foreign and security policy
- Nominates and appoints candidates to high-profile EU roles, such as the European Central Bank and the Commission
- Can ask the European Commission to propose legislation or pass issues to the Council of the EU
2. The Council of the European Union (Council of Ministers)
- Represents the governments of EU countries and forms part of the legislative power
- Composed of government ministers from each EU country, meeting in different configurations depending on the policy area
- Negotiates and adopts EU laws with the European Parliament, based on proposals from the European Commission
- Coordinates EU countries' policies and develops the EU's foreign and security policy
- Concludes agreements between the EU and other countries or international organizations
- Adopts the annual EU budget with the European Parliament
3. The European Commission
- Exercises executive power and proposes new laws
- Composed of 27 Commissioners, one from each EU country, led by the Commission President
- Manages EU policies and allocates EU funding
- Enforces EU law, together with the Court of Justice
- Represents the EU internationally
4. The European Parliament
- Represents EU citizens and is elected every 5 years
- Has three main roles: legislative, supervisory, and budgetary
- Passes EU laws with the Council of the EU, based on European Commission proposals
- Exercises democratic scrutiny over all EU institutions
- Approves the Commission's work program and asks it to propose legislation
- Examines the European Commission's management of the EU budget
5. The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU)
- Interprets EU law to ensure its uniform application in all EU countries
- Settles legal disputes between national governments and EU institutions
- Gives rulings on cases brought before it, including interpreting EU law, enforcing EU law, and annulling EU legal acts
- Composed of two courts: the Court of Justice and the General Court
6. The European Central Bank (ECB)
- Manages the euro and aims to keep prices stable, supporting economic growth and job creation
- Sets interest rates and manages the foreign currency reserves of the eurozone
- Ensures financial markets and institutions are well-supervised and payment systems work well
- Ensures the safety and soundness of the European banking system
- Authorizes the production of euro banknotes by eurozone countries
7. The European Court of Auditors (ECA)
- Improves the financial management of the EU and informs on the use of public funds
- Audits EU revenue and expenditure to ensure correct use of funds
- Checks any person or organization handling EU funds
- Reports suspected fraud, corruption, or illegal activity to the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF)
- Produces an annual report for the European Parliament and Council of the EU
Understand the roles and responsibilities of the European Council, its composition, and its impact on EU policies and direction.
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