A country … | (A) can join the EU |
(B) can’t join the EU |
---|---|---|
1. that does not have freedom of the press | NO | YES |
2. that applies the death penalty | NO | YES |
3. that allows its citizens to protest against the government | YES | NO |
4. in which the parliament is elected on a regular basis | YES | NO |
5. in which the army determines policy and may even intervene in internal affairs with military power | NO | YES |
6. in which people are considered innocent until their guilt has been established by a court | YES | NO |
7. in which there is only one party which is always in government | NO | YES |
8. which protects minorities, even when the majority is against them | YES | NO |
Who …? | European Parliament | European Council | Council of the European Union | European Commission | European Court of Justice |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. makes proposals for EU laws | NO | NO | NO | YES | NO |
2. approves EU laws | YES | NO | YES | NO | NO |
3. consists of (only) one representative/member per EU country | NO | YES | YES | YES | YES |
4. is directly elected | YES | NO | NO | NO | NO |
5. manages the budget | NO | NO | NO | YES | NO |
6. represents the interests of the people | YES | NO | NO | NO | NO |
7. represents the interests of EU countries/their governments | NO | YES | YES | NO | NO |
8. represents the interest of the EU as a whole | NO | NO | NO | YES | NO |
9. decides on the interpretation of EU laws | NO | NO | NO | NO | YES |
10. defines the general political direction of the EU | NO | YES | NO | NO | NO |
You now know a lot about the European institutions, but do you know the names and faces of the people leading them? Do you know who is the current:
Examples | Free movement of people | Free movement of goods | Free movement of services | Free movement of capital |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. I can buy a second-hand car abroad and take it back home without paying customs duties. | NO | YES | NO | NO |
2. I can travel anywhere I like within the EU. | YES | NO | NO | NO |
3. I can study in another EU country. | YES | NO | NO | NO |
4. My parents can have their bathroom renovated by a tiler from another EU country. | NO | NO | YES | NO |
5. My parents can send money to me, without any extra charges, in the country where I am studying. | NO | NO | NO | YES |
6. I can work in another EU country. | YES | NO | NO | NO |
7. I can buy goods online from another EU country without paying customs duties. | NO | YES | NO | NO |
EU laws have put strict rules in place for the labelling of food, drinks, cosmetic products and electronic appliances. Some labels help protect consumers, while others let them know about certain characteristics of the product. For example, there are labels to indicate which products are organic or energy efficient. Without proper labelling, a product will not be allowed onto the market.