EUROPEAN UNION POLITICS AND POLICY
Week 1: Introduction & the EU at a Glance
Ursula Von Der Leyen. President of the European Commission.
Christine Lagarde. President of the European Central Bank.
Charles Michel. President of the European Council.
Roberta Metsola. President of the European Parliament.
Olaf Sholz. Chancellor of Germany.
Emmanuel Macron. President of France.
Alexander De Croo. Prime Minister of Belgium, but not anymore. A new government
will be formed and the head of this administration, will be the new Prime Minister.
, Donald Tusk. Prime Minister of Poland.
Giorgia Meloni. Prime Minister of Italy.
22 EU Member Stated and 4 non-EU countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland)
belong to what is known as the Schengen area. This means that you don’t have to show your
passport when crossing the border between these countries.
1. What is the European Union
27 countries are members of the European Union. There are 24 official languages. A common
currency is used, which is the Euro, but there are some exceptions. Bulgaria, Hungary, Czech-Republic,
Sweden, Poland and Romania. They don’t belong to the Eurozone and if they want to join it, they
have to introduce the Euro. Denmark doesn’t use the Euro either, but they have an exemption.
Is the EU a democracy? Yes
Is the EU a federation? No, there is no central government who has power over the governments
from the EU-states.
Is the EU a state? No, there is no European army, the states have power over own affairs.
Is the EU an international organization? Yes
Is the EU an economic union? Yes
Is the EU a political union? Yes
Is the EU a rule-making body? Yes
,The European Union includes elements of an international organization and a democratic governance
system. At a minimum it is an economic union (common market of goods and services) and a political
union & successful peace project. It is also a rule-making body whose laws are binding on members.
Defining the EU, its competences and rules of procedure: The treaties:
- Treaty establishing the European Coal and Steel Community, 1951
- Treaty of Rome, 1957
- Brussels Treaty, 1965
- Single European Act, 1986
- Maastricht Treaty, 1992
- Treaty of Amsterdam, 1997
- Treaty of Nice, 2001
- Treaty of Lisbon, 2007
What started as an economic project to help raise living standards in post-war
Europe has led to the creation of the world’s largest single-market area, where
people, goods, services and money can move freely. The countries that belong to the EU believe that
by working together they are stronger and better able to tackle today’s big challenges, such
as COVID-19, climate change and the digital transformation of our society. Europe day is 9 May.
EU countries are responsible for their own health policies and immunizing their own citizens, the EU
provides support and helps with coordination, for example by securing vaccine supplies so no country
is left empty-handed.
The EU aims to ensure Europe’s healthy recovery from COVID-19 by investing in projects and
initiatives to make it greener, more digital and better able to deal with future challenges. This is
known as NextGenerationEU.
The European Green Deal is the EU’s strategy to create a modern and competitive European
economy. It aims to make Europe the first climate neutral continent by 2050, at which point we will
produce no more greenhouse gases than our ecosystems can naturally absorb. As a first milestone,
the EU has set a new target of cutting its net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030,
compared to 1990 levels.
Digital technology is very important. An example of that is the COVID-19 pandemic, it has shown us
how important it is for keeping people and businesses connected in times of crisis.
The European Social Fund helps people to get a job, including those who face disadvantages. The
Youth Guarantee scheme aims to ensure that anyone under 30 receives and offer of good-quality
employment, education,… within 4 months of becoming unemployed or leaving education.
2. EU Values and Objectives
EU Motto: “United in Diversity”
Living in the EU brings some important rights and benefits such as:
- That I am protected from discrimination on any ground, including sex, race, religion,..
- That I have the right to have my personal data protected.
- That is can shop online or buy from any EU with confidence, because of the EU consumer
protection
- That my health is protect by tough EU environmental standards.
, Article 2, TEU: “The Union is founded on the values of respect for human dignity, freedom,
democracy, equality, the rule of law, and respect for human rights, including the rights of persons
belonging to minorities. These values are common to the Member States in a society in which
pluralism, non-discrimination, tolerance justice, solidarity and equality between women and men
prevail.”
Article 3.1, TEU: “The Union’s aim is to promote peace, its values, and the well-being of its peoples.”
Article 3.2, TEU: “The Union shall offer its citizens an area of freedom, security, and justice without
internal frontiers, in which the free movement of persons is ensured in conjunction with appropriate
measures with respect to external border controls, asylum, immigration, and the prevention and
combatting of crime.”
Article 3.3, TEU: “The Union shall establish an internal market. It shall work for the sustainable
development of Europe based on balanced economic growth and price stability, a highly competitive
social market economy, aiming at full employment and social progress, and a high level of protection
and improvement of the quality of the environment. It shall promote scientific and technological
advance.”
“It shall combat social exclusion and discrimination, and shall promote social justice and protection,
equality between women and men, solidarity between generations, and protection of the rights of
the child.”
“It shall promote economic, social, and territorial cohesion, and solidarity among member states.”
Article 3.4, TEU: “The Union shall establish and economic and monetary union whose currency is the
euro.”
Article 3.5, TEU: “In its relations with the wider world, the Union shall uphold and promote its values
and interests and contribute to the protection of its citizens. It shall contribute to peace, security, the
sustainable development of Earth, solidarity, and mutual respect among peoples, free and fair trade,
eradication of poverty, and the protection of human rights, in particular the rights of the child, as well
as to the strict observance and the development of international law, including the respect for the
principles of the United Nations charter.”
3. Actors in EU Policymaking
First of all, we have the European Commission. It is the EU’s executive body, that means that they are
responsible for proposing new pieces of legislation and monitoring its implementation. They also play
a role in enforcement. The European Commission is organized in topical Directorate-Generals (DGs),
with a Commissioner from each Member State overseeing. The College of Commissioners (27
commissioners) provide political leadership to the Commission for a five-year term. Commissioners
have to be approved by the European Parliament. The European Commission is located in Brussels
and Luxembourg.
The second institution is the European Parliament. It is a co-deciding institution of the EU. The 720
members are directly elected by EU citizens. The HQ’s are in Brussels and Strasbourg. Members of the
European Parliament (MEP’s) work in transnational “political groups”.
The third institution that we are going to take a look at is The Council of the European Union, also
known as ‘the council’. It is also a co-deciding institution alongside the European Parliament and is
located in Brussels. The CEU brings together the 27 members states at Ministerial level. They
represent elected governments of member states.
Week 1: Introduction & the EU at a Glance
Ursula Von Der Leyen. President of the European Commission.
Christine Lagarde. President of the European Central Bank.
Charles Michel. President of the European Council.
Roberta Metsola. President of the European Parliament.
Olaf Sholz. Chancellor of Germany.
Emmanuel Macron. President of France.
Alexander De Croo. Prime Minister of Belgium, but not anymore. A new government
will be formed and the head of this administration, will be the new Prime Minister.
, Donald Tusk. Prime Minister of Poland.
Giorgia Meloni. Prime Minister of Italy.
22 EU Member Stated and 4 non-EU countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland)
belong to what is known as the Schengen area. This means that you don’t have to show your
passport when crossing the border between these countries.
1. What is the European Union
27 countries are members of the European Union. There are 24 official languages. A common
currency is used, which is the Euro, but there are some exceptions. Bulgaria, Hungary, Czech-Republic,
Sweden, Poland and Romania. They don’t belong to the Eurozone and if they want to join it, they
have to introduce the Euro. Denmark doesn’t use the Euro either, but they have an exemption.
Is the EU a democracy? Yes
Is the EU a federation? No, there is no central government who has power over the governments
from the EU-states.
Is the EU a state? No, there is no European army, the states have power over own affairs.
Is the EU an international organization? Yes
Is the EU an economic union? Yes
Is the EU a political union? Yes
Is the EU a rule-making body? Yes
,The European Union includes elements of an international organization and a democratic governance
system. At a minimum it is an economic union (common market of goods and services) and a political
union & successful peace project. It is also a rule-making body whose laws are binding on members.
Defining the EU, its competences and rules of procedure: The treaties:
- Treaty establishing the European Coal and Steel Community, 1951
- Treaty of Rome, 1957
- Brussels Treaty, 1965
- Single European Act, 1986
- Maastricht Treaty, 1992
- Treaty of Amsterdam, 1997
- Treaty of Nice, 2001
- Treaty of Lisbon, 2007
What started as an economic project to help raise living standards in post-war
Europe has led to the creation of the world’s largest single-market area, where
people, goods, services and money can move freely. The countries that belong to the EU believe that
by working together they are stronger and better able to tackle today’s big challenges, such
as COVID-19, climate change and the digital transformation of our society. Europe day is 9 May.
EU countries are responsible for their own health policies and immunizing their own citizens, the EU
provides support and helps with coordination, for example by securing vaccine supplies so no country
is left empty-handed.
The EU aims to ensure Europe’s healthy recovery from COVID-19 by investing in projects and
initiatives to make it greener, more digital and better able to deal with future challenges. This is
known as NextGenerationEU.
The European Green Deal is the EU’s strategy to create a modern and competitive European
economy. It aims to make Europe the first climate neutral continent by 2050, at which point we will
produce no more greenhouse gases than our ecosystems can naturally absorb. As a first milestone,
the EU has set a new target of cutting its net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030,
compared to 1990 levels.
Digital technology is very important. An example of that is the COVID-19 pandemic, it has shown us
how important it is for keeping people and businesses connected in times of crisis.
The European Social Fund helps people to get a job, including those who face disadvantages. The
Youth Guarantee scheme aims to ensure that anyone under 30 receives and offer of good-quality
employment, education,… within 4 months of becoming unemployed or leaving education.
2. EU Values and Objectives
EU Motto: “United in Diversity”
Living in the EU brings some important rights and benefits such as:
- That I am protected from discrimination on any ground, including sex, race, religion,..
- That I have the right to have my personal data protected.
- That is can shop online or buy from any EU with confidence, because of the EU consumer
protection
- That my health is protect by tough EU environmental standards.
, Article 2, TEU: “The Union is founded on the values of respect for human dignity, freedom,
democracy, equality, the rule of law, and respect for human rights, including the rights of persons
belonging to minorities. These values are common to the Member States in a society in which
pluralism, non-discrimination, tolerance justice, solidarity and equality between women and men
prevail.”
Article 3.1, TEU: “The Union’s aim is to promote peace, its values, and the well-being of its peoples.”
Article 3.2, TEU: “The Union shall offer its citizens an area of freedom, security, and justice without
internal frontiers, in which the free movement of persons is ensured in conjunction with appropriate
measures with respect to external border controls, asylum, immigration, and the prevention and
combatting of crime.”
Article 3.3, TEU: “The Union shall establish an internal market. It shall work for the sustainable
development of Europe based on balanced economic growth and price stability, a highly competitive
social market economy, aiming at full employment and social progress, and a high level of protection
and improvement of the quality of the environment. It shall promote scientific and technological
advance.”
“It shall combat social exclusion and discrimination, and shall promote social justice and protection,
equality between women and men, solidarity between generations, and protection of the rights of
the child.”
“It shall promote economic, social, and territorial cohesion, and solidarity among member states.”
Article 3.4, TEU: “The Union shall establish and economic and monetary union whose currency is the
euro.”
Article 3.5, TEU: “In its relations with the wider world, the Union shall uphold and promote its values
and interests and contribute to the protection of its citizens. It shall contribute to peace, security, the
sustainable development of Earth, solidarity, and mutual respect among peoples, free and fair trade,
eradication of poverty, and the protection of human rights, in particular the rights of the child, as well
as to the strict observance and the development of international law, including the respect for the
principles of the United Nations charter.”
3. Actors in EU Policymaking
First of all, we have the European Commission. It is the EU’s executive body, that means that they are
responsible for proposing new pieces of legislation and monitoring its implementation. They also play
a role in enforcement. The European Commission is organized in topical Directorate-Generals (DGs),
with a Commissioner from each Member State overseeing. The College of Commissioners (27
commissioners) provide political leadership to the Commission for a five-year term. Commissioners
have to be approved by the European Parliament. The European Commission is located in Brussels
and Luxembourg.
The second institution is the European Parliament. It is a co-deciding institution of the EU. The 720
members are directly elected by EU citizens. The HQ’s are in Brussels and Strasbourg. Members of the
European Parliament (MEP’s) work in transnational “political groups”.
The third institution that we are going to take a look at is The Council of the European Union, also
known as ‘the council’. It is also a co-deciding institution alongside the European Parliament and is
located in Brussels. The CEU brings together the 27 members states at Ministerial level. They
represent elected governments of member states.
