Who has the right to vote in Europe?
Under European Union law, citizens of European Union countries can vote in each other’s local and European Parliament elections on the same basis as citizens of the country in question, but usually not in national elections.
What is qualified majority voting in the EU?
Qualified majority voting (QMV) is a mechanism used within the European Council and Council of the EU to take decisions without the need for unanimity but which go beyond a simple majority of members. Abstention counts as a vote against.
What voting system is used in European elections?
Most of the member states of the European Union elect their MEPs with a single constituency covering the entire state, using party-list proportional representation.
What is double majority voting EU?
Double majority means that two different criteria are needed to decide on an EU law or to reach a decision. Member states with 38% of the EU population could ask for a second counting of the weighted votes in the Council.
How does the European Commission make decisions?
Commission decides Depending on its level of political importance, an initiative for a new policy or law is either agreed on by the Commission during the Commissioners’ weekly meetings, using the oral procedure, or by written procedure.
Who makes decisions in the EU?
This is how decisions are made in the EU: Heads of state and government make decisions on general policies in the European Council. The Commission makes proposals for new laws. The Parliament reviews the proposals and passes decisions together with the Council of Ministers.
What is the most powerful EU institution?
The Commission
Are European Commission decisions binding?
Decisions are binding upon only the particular Member State(s), undertaking(s) or individual(s) to whom they are addressed. Binding decisions are notified to those to whom they are addressed.
Are EU directives binding on member states?
Directives are binding only on the member states to whom they are addressed, which can be just one member state or a group of them. In general, however, with the exception of directives related to the Common Agricultural Policy, directives are addressed to all member states.
Are EU resolutions legally binding?
Therefore, they are not legally binding. Other EU institutions have similar ways to express their position. The Parliament can also draft resolutions and recommendations on matters within the EU’s competencies.
Are EU directives directly applicable?
In contrast, EU directives are not directly applicable, as member states must enact national implementing legislation by the transposition deadline to give effect to them.
What does direct effect mean in EU law?
The principle of direct effect enables individuals to immediately invoke a European provision before a national or European court. It enables individuals to immediately invoke European law before courts, independent of whether national law test exist.
What is the difference between primary and secondary EU law?
EU legislation is divided into primary and secondary. The treaties (primary legislation) are the basis or ground rules for all EU action. Secondary legislation – which includes regulations, directives and decisions – are derived from the principles and objectives set out in the treaties.
What is vertical effect in EU law?
Vertical direct effect means that you can use EU legislation against a member state. Horizontal direct effect means that you can use EU legislation against another individual.