European Studies Quarterly

Institutional organisation of the European Union in the time of crisis – horizontal division of power and functions

2015, 2015 (38), No. 4

Monika Poboży

DOI

10.31338/1641-2478pe.4.15.3

Publication date

24.04.2016

Publishing model

open access

License type

CC BY 4.0 Int.

Field

Social sciences

Discipline

economics and finance, communication and media studies, political science and public administration, management and quality studies, law, sociology, international relations

Language of publication

English

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Article

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Abstract

The article poses a question about the existence of the rule of separation of powers in the EU institutional system, as it is suggested by the wording of the treaties. The analysis led to the conclusion, that in the EU institutional system there are three separated functions (powers) assigned to different institutions. The Council and the European Parliament are legislative powers, the Commission and the European Council create a “divided executive”. The Court of Justice is a judicial power. The above mentioned institutions gained strong position within their main functions (legislative, executive, judicial), but the proper mechanisms of checks and balances have not been developed, especially in the relations between legislative and executive power. These powers do not limit one another in the EU system. In the EU there are therefore three separated but arbitrary powers – because they do not limit and balance one another, and are not fully controlled by the member states.

Keywords:

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