presidency of the eu - draft
TRANSCRIPT
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What does it taketo run the Councilof the European Union?
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How does the council leadership work?
> Presided over by a country, not just one person
> This country’s leadership lasts six months
> 28 member states take turns to lead the council
> Presidency meets monthly in Strasbourg, France
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What does thePresidency do?
> At first considered quite powerless> Now considered the prime decision maker of
the EU> Most important laws debated by members> Make the riskiest decisions
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A brief history of leadership
> 1958: Belgium, West Germany
> 1959-73: Rotation of France, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands
> from 1973: Denmark
> from 1977: United Kingdom
> June to December 2013 (now): Lithuania
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Roles in EU development
> Progressive deepening of European integration> Profusion of technical/sectoral councils> Expansion of Coreper influence> Proliferation of Council working groups> Impact of intergovernmental cooperations in
foreign/security policy, justice and home affairs
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Responsibilities> Presenting a presidency program, reporting on the
conduct of the presidency to EU Parliament
> Preparing and overlooking meetings of the council, subcommittees and working groups
> Making deals in the Council to reach agreement on legislative proposals
> Launching policy initiatives
> Acting as EU spokesperson
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More functions> Numerous events during six-month presidency> Five informal council meetings
> Educational function tries to enlighten public about benefits of EU, especially in Eurosceptic countries
> Government in Presidency more likely to make concessions to increase productivity and prestige
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Dual personalities> Countries in the Presidency seek both to
advance their own positions and to be impartial arbitrators
> Reconcile national and presidential interests> Small countries must adapt more to deal
with the strains of Presidency - usually do better job
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Countering problems:Trio system
> Because countries only get six months, there is not a lot of time to implement ideas
> Idea of “trio” put forward in 2007> Three presidencies work on common political
programs in their tenure
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Past and future trios> Germany, Portugal and Slovenia
> France, Czech Republic and Sweden
> Spain, Belgium and Hungary
> Poland, Denmark and Cyprus
> Ireland, Lithuania and Greece
> Italy, Latvia and Luxembourg
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Advantages> Smaller countries have chance to be heard
> A chance to take the limelight for six months> Respects equality among the union
0.4 0.5 0.9 1.3
2.0 2.1 3.0 4.4(pop. in millions)
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Disadvantages
> Countries have to wait 14 years to regain the Presidency
> Lithuania 2013... Lithuania 2027> Highlighting small countries only once in 14
years
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One more disadvantage
> Herman Van Rompuy is usually viewed as the face of the EU no matter which country is in charge
> His role, President of the European Council, can be confused with the country’s role
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Why two Presidencies?
> Answer: Lisbon Treaty
> Major amendment to the Treaty of Maastricht and the Treaty of Rome
> Means a politician is chosen to be President of the European Council for two and a half years in qualified majority vote...
> ...but countries still chair meetings for six months each!
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Spanner in the wheel:Ireland
> Original timetable was to have all states ratify the Treaty by 2008...
> ...but Ireland rejected it in a referendum because it would impact on their constitution
> Since all states have veto power, the Treaty was put on hold
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Change of heart> In 2009, Ireland made
concessions with EU> The whole of the
Lisbon treaty was altered by these amendments!
> Second referendum passed easily... YES
NO
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So...> Maastricht Treaty, article 15 (amended by
Lisbon Treaty)...> “The European Council shall elect its
President, by a qualified majority, for a term of two and a half years, renewable once. In the event of an impediment or serious misconduct, the European Council can end the President's term of office in accordance with the same procedure.”
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Ireland’s presidency> January - June 2013> Head of State: Edna Kenny (Taoiseach)
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Ireland’s presidency> To secure economic
stability> Investing in
sustainable jobs and growth
> To tackle global issues as united European front
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Success> Angela Merkel (Germany):> “I would like to give my
heartfelt thanks for an unusually successful presidency in which many dossiers were brought to a successful conclusion.”
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Current Presidency: Lithuania
> Since July 1, 2013> Lithuania> Head of state:
Dalia Grybauskaitė
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Lithuania’s policies> To make a credible Europe
with a stable financial sector
> To grow Europe through research and development
> To open Europe to global challenges and solve them