law making: the EU (chap8)

• What year did Britain vote to leave the EU?

  2016
• What countries were founding members of the EU in 1957?

  • Belgium
  • France
  • Germany
  • Italy
  • Luxembourg
  • Netherlands
• In what year did Denmark, Ireland, and the UK join the EU?

  1973
• Which country joined the EU in 1981?

  Greece
• Which countries joined the EU in 1986?

  Portugal and Spain
• What year did Austria, Finland, and Sweden join the EU?

  1995
• Which countries joined the EU in 2004?

  • Cyprus
  • Czech Republic
  • Estonia
  • Hungary
  • Latvia
  • Lithuania
  • Malta
  • Poland
  • Slovakia
  • Slovenia
• What year did Romania and Bulgaria join the EU?

  2007
• What year did Croatia join the EU?

  2013
• What are the main treaties governing the EU?

  • Treaty of the European Union (TEU)
  • Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU)
• What is the main law-making body of the EU?

  The Council of the EU
• Who typically represents member states in the Council of the EU?

  Foreign ministers
• How often does the Council of the EU meet?

  Three times a year
• What is required for a decision to be made in the Council of the EU?

  55% member states and 65% population
• What is the 'double majority' rule?

  Voting system requiring member states and population support
• How many commissioners are in the EU Commission?

  29 commissioners
• What is the term length for EU commissioners?

  5 years
• What is one of the main functions of the EU Commission?

  Propose new laws to Parliament
• What does the EU Commission act as a guardian of?

  EU treaties and laws
• What does the EU Commission manage?

  The EU's budget and administration
• How are Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) elected?

  Directly elected every 5 years
• How many MEPs are currently in the European Parliament?

  751 MEPs
• What do MEPs form based on ideologies?

  Political groups
• How often does the European Parliament meet?

  Once a month
• What is the role of standing committees in the European Parliament?

  Review commission proposals before debate
• How has the role of the European Parliament evolved?

  From consultative to co-legislating
• What can the European Parliament do with legislative proposals?

  Approve, reject, or amend them
• In which area does the European Parliament have limited power?

  Competition law
• What does the European Parliament decide on regarding new member states?

  Admissions of new member states
• Where is the Court of Justice of the EU located?

  Luxembourg
• How many judges are in the Court of Justice of the EU?

  28 judges
• What is the term length for judges in the Court of Justice of the EU?

  6 years
• From where are judges in the Court of Justice selected?

  Highest judicial positions or leading legal academics
• How does the Court of Justice usually sit?

  In chambers of 5 or 3 judges
• What is the role of advocates general in the Court of Justice?

  Research legal issues and present conclusions
• What are the key functions of the Court of Justice of the EU?

  1. Infringement cases
  2. Preliminary rulings
• What do infringement cases determine?

  If member states failed EU obligations
• What is the purpose of preliminary rulings?

  Ensure consistent interpretation of EU law
• Under which article can national courts refer cases to the CJEU?

  Article 267 TFEU
• What must national courts do if there are no further appeals?

  Refer questions of European law to the CJEU