NAGY, Csongor István ncsi@eik.bme.hu EU law Class 3 NAGY, Csongor István ncsi@eik.bme.hu

History and purpose End of the II World War: only a European state may avert a third world-war Peace and prosperity Global competition Common market

Schengen area

Euro zone

Exclusive competences of the EU Customs union Competition law and policy (in respect of matters having an EU dimension) Monetary policy for the euro-zone Common fisheries policy Common commercial policy

History 1952: European Coal and Steel Community (merged into European Community in 2002 ) 1957: Euratom (European Atomic Energy Community) 1957: European Community (originally: European Economic Community) 1992: European Union (Treaty of Maastricht): creating a three pillar structure 2007 (2009): Treaty of Lisbon

Institutions European Commission: Nominated by the Member States, elected by the Parliament Represents the Community interest Council: Consists of the representatives of the Member States Represents the interests of the states European Parliament: Elected by the European citizens, directly Represents the European people

Ordinary legislative procedure

Institutions EU courts (General Court, European Court of Justice) Court of Auditors European Ombudsman

Source of EC law Primary sources: founding treaties and their amendments Secondary sources: regulations: general rules, direct application directives: aim defined, method/details left to the Member States decision: concrete addressees

The typical way to get to the European Court of Justice First step: law-suit before the court of the Member State concerned. Second step: the court realizes the existence of a Community law issue and decides to submit preliminary questions to Luxembourg – the submission is the power of the court and NOT the right of the parties. Third step: the questions are worded and submitted. Fourth step: the ECJ delibaretes the questions and answers them sending back a preliminary ruling. Fifth step: the Member State court decides, accordingly.

Preliminary ruling procedure Preliminary question Preliminary ruling European Court of Justice National court procedure