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

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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