THE EUROPEAN UNIONPOLITICAL INSTITUTIONS

Overview

History Three Branches

Legislative Executive Judicial

Monetary Political Parties

History (1950-1964)

Treaty of Paris (1951) European Coal and Steel Community “Inner Six”

Treaty of Rome (1957) European Economic Community European Atomic Energy Community

History (1965-1991)

Merger Treaty (1965) European Communities Three Pillars

Expansion UK ,Ireland, and Denmark No Norway

Single European Act

History (1992-Present)

MAASTRICHT TREATYhttp://www.eurotreaties.com/maastrichtec.pdf

Present Day EU

28 Countries 3rd Largest “State” http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi

a/commons/b/bb/EC-EU-enlargement_animation.gif

European Parliament

Passes and Amends European Laws Co-decision with Council of Ministers

Direct Election 5 Year Cycle

Main location in Brussels “Lower House” President of Parliament

Council of Ministers

Passes and amends European laws Co-decision with Parliament

Represents Europe Internationally Ministers from each country “Upper House” Voting

Different kinds of Majorities Distribution by Country

European Council

Executive Branch (sort of) Heads of Government Sets General Direction of EU President of European Council

European Commision

Executive Branch Proposes Legislation Oversees Bureaucracy Drafts and Implements Budget

Court of Justice

Judicial Branch Interprets European Law Ensures all Countries Comply Not Life Terms???

European Central Bank

Treaty of Amsterdam Monetary Policy Maintaining Price Stability Strength of Euro

Court of Auditors

Audits Finances of EU Ensures Fiscal Responsibility Six-Year Terms Oversees 800 Staff Members

Europarties

Maastricht Treaty Weak organizations

Conglomeration of National Parties National Parties Contest Elections

National Loyalties Real Parties???

Parties in Parliament

EPP - European People's Party (Christian Democrats)S&D - Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in Europe (centre-left)ALDE - Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (liberal)GUE/NGL - European United Left-Nordic Green Left (left-wing)Greens/EFA - Greens/European Free Alliance (Greens and regionalists/nationalists)ECR - European Conservatives and Reformists Group (right-wing)EFD - Europe of Freedom and Democracy (Eurosceptic)NA - Non-attached (MEPs not part of any group)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-11721146

Major Party: EPP

Largest Party in Parliament Center-Right First Transnational European Party Emphasize Austerity Want to Strengthen EU

Pro-Single Market Pro-Asylum Federal Europe

Major Party: PES

Second-Largest Party in Parliament Center-Left Socialist

Pro-Regulation “Financial Transaction Tax” Uniform, High Minimum Wage

Pro-Environment, Renewable Energy

A European Constitution?

Agreed upon in 2004 Simplify Mess of Treaties Solidify Union Define Relationship with Member

States Signed by all Countries Failed Ratification in France,

Denmark Lisbon Treaty