Lesson 6 – Introduction to the Law of the European Union


I.                    Organization and Structure of the EU
 A. Brainstorming + Discussion

Discuss the questions below with your partner.

·         What kind of organization is the European Union?

·         What are the institutions of the European Union?

·         What do you know about each of the institutions?


 B.   Institutions of the EU and their functions

Look at the table below and put the following pieces of information into the right boxes in the
table.


  * composed of national ministers
  * appointed for 5 years
  * elected every five years directly by EU citizens
  * 27 judges serve 6 year renewable term

  * sit in political parties, not according to nationalities
  * adopts new laws with the Council
  * main decision-making body
  * settles disputes between member states, between EU and MS, between individuals and EU
  * decides budget with the Council
  * adopts new laws with the Parliament
  * executive branch of EU
  * proposes new laws to the Parliament and Council
  * decides budget with the Parliament
  * concludes international agreements
  * coordinates economic policies of MS
  * negotiates treaties with other countries
  * coordinates police and court efforts on criminal matters
  * has the right to censure the Commission
  * ensures EU law is applied properly by MS
  * appoints an Ombudsman



















Institution

                         Structure

                                  Function

European Parliament











Council of the Union














European Commission













European Court of Justice













II.                  Language Focus

Fill in the crossword puzzle with an English equivalent of the Czech expressions below. What is the
solution and what does it mean?


1.


















     X













2.



















      X












3.




















       X











4.




















       X











5.




















       X











6.




















       X




          X







7.




















       X











8.























         X








9.






















        X









10.



















      X












11.

















    X



       X











12.










   X






















1. dohlížet na práci

2. uzavřít dohody

3. předložit návrhy

4. zajistit bezpečnost

5. vyjednávat dohody

6. přijmout nové zákony

7. zvažovat návrhy

8. jmenovat soudce

9. poskytnout pomoc

10. kontrolovat účty

11. podléhající ustanovením

12. provádět (realizovat) politiku



III.                Speaking – Exam preparation

In groups prepare a short summary of the topics below.
  * Advantages of being a member of the European Union
  * Disadvantages of being a member of the European Union
  * EURO adoption – advantages and disadvantages
  * Euroscepticism and future of the European Union