Understanding EU Institutions, Functions, and Citizen Rights

Posted on Feb 25, 2025 in Law

The Principle of Subsidiarity: The EU is only active in areas of common interest, developing solutions more effectively than individual member states and their administrations.

EU Institutions and Their Spanish Counterparts

Institutions:

  • EU: European Parliament, Council of the European Union, European Commission, Court of Justice, Court of Auditors.
  • Spain: Spanish Parliament, Autonomous Councils, Council of Ministers, Court of Auditors.

Agencies:

  • Spain: Spanish Town Halls, Social Agents, Senate, Bank of Spain, ICO (Official Credit Institute).

Key Differences: European Parliament vs. Spanish General Courts

European Parliament:

  • Legislative function
  • Budgetary function
  • Democratic oversight

Spanish General Courts:

  • Constitutional power request

Main Functions of the European Parliament

The European Parliament’s main functions include legislative, budgetary, and democratic oversight. Its powers are limited to the development of Community legislation.

The European Council: Composition, Leadership, and Functions

The European Council comprises the President and the Prime Ministers of the member state governments. Decision-making is based on a double or qualified majority (55% threshold for passing laws). The President serves for six months.

Qualified Majority Procedure in the European Council

A decision is approved if supported by 72% of the board members, representing at least 65% of the EU population.

Functions of the European Commission

  1. Proposing legislation to the Parliament and the Council.
  2. Managing EU policies and budget.
  3. Enforcing European law.
  4. Representing the EU internationally.
  5. Controlling the budgets of EU countries.

Scope of the Court of Justice of the European Union

The Court has the power to settle disputes between member states, EU institutions, businesses, and individuals.

The European Ombudsman: Role and Accessibility

The European Ombudsman receives and investigates complaints from citizens, businesses, and other entities with legal domicile in an EU country.

Community Standards

  1. Regulations
  2. Directives
  3. Decisions
  4. Recommendations
  5. Opinions

Benefits of European Citizenship

European citizenship grants nationals of member states:

  • Freedom of movement and residence in all member countries.
  • The right to vote and stand for election.
  • Diplomatic and consular protection.

The Schengen Convention and Citizen Mobility

The Schengen Agreement facilitates police and judicial cooperation and the free movement of people between participating states (some of which are outside the EU). Nationals of other EU countries and nationals of third countries are subject to simple visual inspections at internal borders.

CE Marking and the Eco-Label: Meaning and Significance

  • CE Marking: Indicates that products comply with essential safety standards (e.g., toys, electronics).
  • Eco-Label: Certifies that an independent body has verified the product meets strict ecological criteria defined for the EU.

EU Structural Funds and Their Purpose

The EU channels financial assistance through four Structural Funds to resolve structural problems:

  • ERDF (European Regional Development Fund)
  • ESF (European Social Fund)
  • EAGGF (European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund)
  • FIFG (Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance)

Budget Law vs. State Budget Law: Key Differences

  • Budget Law: Contains the rules for preparing the draft budget law each year.
  • State Budget Law: Approved annually, includes revenue and expenditure, and incorporates substantive rules regulating various aspects of economic activity in the state sector.

Content of the General State Budget

The general state budget covers:

  • Approval of the budget and its amendments.
  • Budget management.
  • Personnel expenses.
  • Public pensions.
  • Financial transactions.
  • Tax regulations.
  • Local authorities.
  • Social security contributions.

Scope of State Budgets

The scope includes the state, independent administrative agencies, autonomous bodies of commercial, industrial, and financial nature, social security, state companies, and other entities in the state sector.