Read the summary and the most important questions on 2. Institutions

• 1 European Council

• What does the European Council consists of according to art. 15 para 2 TEU?

  European Council consists of the Heads of State or Government of MS, together with President + President of Commission + High Rep. Of FA takes part as well. They meet twice every six months, if necessary also extraordinary sessions.

• By what kind of majority is the President of the European Council elected and how long can his term be according to Art 15 para 5 TEU?

  The President shall be elected by a qualified majority, for a term of two and a half years, renewable once.

• 1.1 Duties

• As a political leading organ of the EU, what are the 4 main duties of the European Council?

  1. Political leading organ of the EU: specifies political goals
     
  2. suggest candidate for COM-Presidency
  3. Appoints the High Representative of the Union (with approval from COM-Pres)
  4. elects and appoints Pres, Vicepres, remaining Executive Board member of the ECB 

• 2 European Commission

• What is the composition of the European Commission according to art. 17 para 5 TEU ?

  One national of each MS + President of Commission as well as High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (= COM-Vicepres in personal union). They are independent the wider sense.

• What are the measures taken to make sure that the number of commissioners wil have an increased legal capacity and efficiency with a strict system that is equal (art 17 para 5 TEU)?

  Number of Comissioners = 2/3 of MS (19 commissioners + Pres of COM + High Representatives) and have a strictly equal rotation between the MS, considering the demographic and geographical range of all the MS.

• Since Treaty of Lisbon, how is the European Commission elected?

  Elected directly by EP, EC appoints Commission for a duration of 5 years

• How does the term in office of commissioners end?

  • Expiration of term in office
    
  • Event of death
  • Voluntary resignation
  • Removal from office by ECJ
  • enforced resignation - vote of no confidence EP (against COM as a whole)
  • enforced resignation - request by COM-pres

• 2.1 Duties

• What are the most important tasks of the Euoprean Commission to art. 17 para 1 TEU as it has the sole right of initiative and guardian of the treaties?

  It oversees application of Union law under control of ECJ, ensures application of the Treaties, infringement proceedings (can put MS to ECJ), negotiating agreement with third countries and is external representation.

• 2.2 Decision-Making

• On what majority does the European Commission has its decision-making process?

  Decides by simply majority (15/27) and has principally a joint session; also possibility of circulation procedure and empowerment procedure

• 3 Council of the EU

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• What is the composition of the Council of the EU according to art. 16 para 2 TEU and does it have a standard composition?

  A representative of each MS at ministerial level that votes for respective national government. Holds meeting in different positions about general matters.