European Union lawLesson 1 of 1 in the course EU institutions

European Parliament: Representation, Lawmaking and Accountability

5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 5 match pairs · 4 fill-in sentences · English

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Summary

This lesson introduces the European Parliament (EP), its place in the European Union, and how it developed from a consultative assembly into a powerful directly elected institution.

The European Parliament is one of the EU’s seven institutions and one of its two legislative bodies. Together with the Council of the European Union, it normally adopts EU legislation on the basis of proposals from the European Commission. The Parliament represents EU citizens directly, while the Council represents the governments of member states.

All flashcards

European Parliament
An EU institution representing citizens directly and sharing lawmaking with the Council in most policy areas.
Common Assembly
The Parliament’s appointed, consultative predecessor, which first met in 1952 with 78 members.
Degressive proportionality
A seat-allocation system giving more populous states more seats but fewer seats per resident.
Lisbon Treaty
The treaty entering into force in 2009 that made Parliament a more equal legislative partner with the Council in most areas.
Non-attached members
MEPs who do not belong to a political group.

Quiz questions

  1. What is required to register a political group in the European Parliament?Answer: At least 23 MEPs from seven different member states.
  2. How does the ordinary legislative procedure generally become law?Answer: Parliament and the Council agree on a Commission proposal.
  3. What majority is required for the European Parliament to adopt a motion of censure against the Commission?Answer: A two-thirds majority.
  4. Who proposes a candidate for President of the European Commission for Parliament to approve?Answer: The European Council, taking the European elections into account.
  5. How does an EU directive differ from an EU regulation?Answer: A directive sets goals for member states to achieve through national laws.

Based on the Wikipedia article European Parliament, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.

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