TSR Wiki > Study Help > Subjects and Revision > Revision Notes > Politics > EU Commission Questions
WHAT REFORMS HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED TO ADDRESS THE CRITICISM OF THE COMMISSION?
Intro
- A branch of the governing body of the EU
- Essentially the driving force behind the EU – shaping policy direction and implementing treaties + laws.
- However, it has received criticism for being over bureaucratic, wasteful, unelected and therefore unaccountable, too powerful and corrupt. In recent years reforms have been introduced to tackle these criticisms, although many would argue these problems are far from solved. With enlargement there was further pressure for reform, which was to be dealt with in the constitution.
Appointments to the commission
- President has to be approved by EP (Maastricht)
- Constitution – elected by EP from a shortlist
- EP can dismiss an entire commission using a motion of censure (Amsterdam)
- President has power to sack a commissioner singularly (Nice) although this has not been used.
These reforms help to add accountability to the commission, although some euro sceptics would argue against the increased authority the EC gains from this accountability.
Enlargement
- Commissioners will be limited to one per member state (Nice) large states were unwilling to only have one
- Ceiling of 27 commissioners – rotation system will be introduced – would disadvantage smaller states.
- Constitution – inner core of 15 commissioners with voting rights
Improved efficiency
- Many programs have been introduced to increase efficiency and reduce administration.
- Poorly handled – many felt reforms were being imposed from on high with little staff consultation.
- After the resignation of the Santer commission, Prodi gave Neil Kinnock responsibility to reform and particularly monitor commission behaviour and spending of funds.
Conclusion
- When considering reform of the commission, the difficulties of satisfying conflicting interests should be remembered. Firstly the commission has an increased workload due to enlargement, yet it is expected to be more efficient. Reforms have to satisfy the interests of member states, EU, general public and staff themselves.
WHAT ARE THE FUNCTIONS AND IMPORTANCE OF THE EU COMMISSION?
Intro
- The EC is often referred to as the executive bureaucratic arm of the EU due to its government like nature.
- It has also been described as the civil service of the EU.
- However it is wholly neither.
- It is recognised as a branch of the governing body of the EU
- Essentially the driving force behind the EU – shaping policy direction and implementing treaties and laws.
Powers of initiation
- Sole power to initiate legislation in pillar 1.
- May come from DGs, commissioners, from a treaty.
- Given to EP and council to accept, reject or amend
Powers of implementation
- Responsible for ensuring laws are implemented.
- Can collect info and take any member state to ECJ (Maastricht)
- E.g. Italy renowned for non implementation – bureaucracy inefficient and corrupt.
Conscience of the EU
- Expected to rise above national interests and promote general interest of EU
Management of finances
- Produces annual budget then passed to EP and council.
External relations
- EU’s main external representative in dealings with international organisations such as UN or WTO
Overseas process by which new members are considered
Conclusion
Overall it is essentially and most importantly the driving force behind the EU. Its importance lies in its ability to shape EU policy direction and implementing the provisions of the EUs founding treaties and laws. With widening integration continuing, their role remains ever relevant.
WHAT IS THE STRUCTURE OF THE EU COMMISSION?
Intro
- The EC is often referred to as the executive bureaucratic arm of the EU due to its government like nature.
- It has also been described as the civil service of the EU.
- However it is wholly neither.
- It is recognised as a branch of the governing body of the EU
- Essentially the driving force behind the EU – shaping policy direction and implementing treaties and laws.
- The commission can be subdivided into three sections each with its own role and importance.
President
- High profile leader, public face of commission
- Represent the commission to other institutions
- Coordinate work of various commissioners and chair weekly meetings in the college.
- Give a sense of direction to the supranational development of the EU.
- Ensure commitment to previous policy areas such as single currency and EMU.
- Delors – particularly presidential style, strong ideas about federal Europe. – Maastricht and EMU
- Importance of president shown over the controversial election of Barroso. – France and Germany wanted a more federalist candidate.
College of commissioners
- Consists of 25 commissioners, one from each member state.
- Must represent the EU as a whole.
- Act as the ‘conscience of the EU’
- Functions much like a cabinet with weekly meetings in secret and collective responsibility for decisions.
- Consult widely with interest groups and experts
- Guardians of treaties
- Sole initiators of EU legislation.
Bureaucracy
- Responsible for day to day running
- Divided into 24 DGs each dealing with a policy area and a secretariat general.
- Generates proposals to the college.
- The administrative side to the commission is essential in supporting commissioners and ensuring smooth running of the commission.
WHAT ARE THE FUNCTIONS AND IMPORTANCE OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE EU COMMISSION?
Intro
- Nominated by member governments
- High profile leader, public face of commission
- Represent the commission to other institutions. Attends annual council summit meeting
- Represent the EU to international organisations such as UN or WTO
- Coordinate work of various commissioners and chair weekly meetings in the college.
- Give a sense of direction to the supranational development of the EU.
- Ensure commitment to previous policy areas such as single currency and EMU.
Conclusion
Although with limited powers, the president of the commission is the nearest thing the EU has to a head of government. Probably the true head of government is the head of the council, but since that post circulates on a 6 monthly rota, the president of the Commission is a more clearly identifiable figurehead for the community as a whole.
It has to be said that the definition of the presidents role is sufficiently vague as to allow a strong personality to dictate his own agenda.
- Delors – particularly presidential style, strong ideas about federal Europe. – Maastricht and EMU
- Importance of president shown over the controversial election of Barroso. – France and Germany wanted a more federalist candidate.
Comments
These notes are aimed at people studying for Edexcel A Level Government and Politics, unit 5A.
Originally submitted by shes_ellectric on TSR Forums.
