Terms & Conditions
This is the term for when power is held by independent states. The central government derives authority from the states and has no direct authority over the people.
What is "confederalism"?
Spain's criticism of this country's recent military actions has put it in contrast with other more supportive member states like Austria and the Czech Republic. Underscoring the EU's struggle to "speak with one voice" on foreign policy issues.
What is Israel?
One of the policies France continues to agitate for in the European Union is the proliferation of this type of energy.
What is nuclear energy?
This was the original name of the intergovernmental organization which would become the European Union.
What is the European Coal and Steel Commission?
This EU institution ensures the treaties on the functioning of the European Union are upheld in Member State courts.
What is the European Court of Justice?
This is the term which is used to describe the idea that once member states begin integrating in certain policy areas, further integration will continue in related sectors.
What is "spillover"?
Spain and the EU have recently clashed over this policy area in which Spain is prioritizing economic viability over environmental sustainability.
What is fisheries?
Emmanuel Macron has been a steady force in French and European politics for many years. He was first elected president in this year.
What is 2017?
In July 2008, this country became the EU's then 28th Member State.
This Member State currently holds the rotating presidency of the Council of Ministers.
This term is used to describe which body (the EU, or Member States) have authority to legislate in a given area.
What is "competence"?
Spanish president Pedro Sanchez regularly advocates for the protection of employees in this sector of the economy in Spain and in the European Union.
What is the "gig economy"?
What is 17%?
This 1986 Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union set an ambitious, not yet fully realized goal, of creating a Single Market for goods, capital, services, and people.
What is the Single European Act?
This is the word used to describe the legislative decision making process involving the European Parliament, Council of Ministers, and European Commission.
What is the Trilogue?
The idea that the EU should not go beyond taking the action needed to achieve the objectives of the treaties.
What is "proportionality"?
The most MEPs for Spain sit in this centrist party in the European Parliament.
What is the European People's Party?
The most MEPs for France sit in this far-right party in the European Parliament.
What is Patriots for Europe?
The 2008 European debt crisis was brought about in part because the EU lacked the ability to legislate in which key policy area?
What is fiscal policy?
EU legislation passes the Qualified Majority Vote when this percentage of Member States vote in favor.
What is 55%?
This is the principle that the EU can only act where it has been given authority by the member states to achieve objectives set out in treaties.
What is "conferral"?
Spain first applied for membership to the European Economic Communities in this year but was denied entry due to Franco's dictatorship.
What is 1962?
France continues to fight the passage of this proposed EU trade agreement which would "negatively affect French and European farmers."
What is the EU–Mercosur trade deal?
After this 1990 geopolitical event, the Belgian Foreign Minister claimed that “the European Community’s response demonstrated that they were an economic giant, a political dwarf, and a military worm.”
What is the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait?
"Who speaks for the EU" is a question other countries and organizations often ask. The president of this institution is the de-facto voice of the European Union.
The European Commission.