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E-Learning Unit 3: The EU Institutions and Modes of Governance

  1. Introduction
  2. The Treaty Establishing a Constitution for Europe
    1. Dissolving of the Pillar Structure
    2. Reforming the Union´s Competencies
      1. A Clear-Cut Catalogue of Competences?
      2. Categories of Competences
    3. Reforming the Procedures and Instruments
      1. Revision Procedures
      2. Legislative Procedures
      3. Budgetary Procedure
  3. A Revised Institutional Architecture
    1. The European Parliament
      1. Increase in Competence and Function
      2. With New Strength Towards a Bicameral System
      3. A Full-Fledged Parliament?
    2. The European Council
      1. An Expanded List of Tasks
      2. The President of the European Council
    3. The Council of Ministers
      1. Composition of the Council and its Presidency
      2. The New Majority Formula
      3. An Enhanced Ability?
    4. The Union Minister for Foreign Affairs
    5. The European Commission
      1. Reforms in the Light of European 'Leitideen'
      2. An Enhanced President of the Commission
      3. The College
  4. Perspectives
    1. Towards a New Institutional Balance?
    2. In a Fusion Trend?
    3. The TCE as a Further Step in the Evolution of European States?
  5. Further Readings

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III.5 The European Commission

 

Source: srs.dl.ac.uk

 

III.5.1 Reforms in the Light of European Leitideen

Regarding the reform of the European Commission different models were discussed depending on the European Leitidee promoted by the participants. Corresponding to the federalist idea the Commission was meant to be established as a true European government. Intergovernmentalists on the other hand were against it and in favour of a downgrading of the Commission to functions of a mere secretariat.

Finally the Commission´s position was enhanced by the Constitutional Treaty but without evolving into a European government corresponding to national models. The Constitutional Treaty has further strengthened the competences and scope of action for the Commission. Against objecting proposals its former profile of tasks and prerogatives, including the right to legislative initiative has been reconfirmed. The Commission is still owning the monopoly to initiate concerning the policy areas of the former first pillar. Furthermore it was extended to the 'Union´s annual and multiannual programming' (Art. I-26(1) TCE). Also with regard to the Common Foreign and Security Policy as well as the Justice and Home Affairs its right to initiated has been enhanced.

The composition of the Commission was finally reformed after having been discussed quite controversially. In the end the proposal of the Convention was not adopted.

     

Links:

 

Source: srs.dl.ac.uk

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