4 ms·

The European Parliament can't issue directive on its own (it needs to be introduced by the European Commission, and also approved for by repressentatives of the

The European Parliament can't issue directive on its own (it needs to be introduced by the European Commission, and also approved for by repressentatives of the governments). If an directive has been issued, it can't be ignored by the member states. If they do, they can be forced to do follow it by a European court as they act against the European treaties they signed. The European parliament can't issue sanctions against anybody, because that's not in their power as defined in the EU treaties. What the EU parliament can do in this case (and what do actually did here) is issue a sternly worded letter. They can also try to bring the EU Commission or the member states to do something.

lhopki01 11y ago
This is not quite true. The EU can issue fines. The fines are enforceable in each member's courts because of the treaties they signed up to as part of the EU. But you're right in this case the EU can't do anything about Snowden. It's really just a motion calling on EU national governments.
- germanier 11y ago
  For the mentioned directives you are right, the way to force them on non-compliant member states is through fines (but those are enforced in the ECJ). However, it's well established that they have a direct effect on individuals even when member states refuse to comply (see for example Francovich v Italy). Also, in many cases the EU can issue regulations. Those are directly valid in all member states without them needing to do anything.
  - stevetrewick 11y ago
    AIUI, either the Council (of ministers, i.e. the various appointed government representatives) or the Commission ( the technocratic bureaucracy which may have regulatory power delegated to them in some area of competence by the Council) can issue a regulation. The parliament, however, cannot. Power in 'the EU' is wielded largely by the CoM and the Commission, the parliament is just a side show. The EU is a fundamentally technocratic, not democratic, institution, This is by design. edit : fat fingers

lhopki01 11y ago

This is not quite true. The EU can issue fines. The fines are enforceable in each member's courts because of the treaties they signed up to as part of the EU. But you're right in this case the EU can't do anything about Snowden. It's really just a motion calling on EU national governments.

germanier 11y ago
For the mentioned directives you are right, the way to force them on non-compliant member states is through fines (but those are enforced in the ECJ). However, it's well established that they have a direct effect on individuals even when member states refuse to comply (see for example Francovich v Italy). Also, in many cases the EU can issue regulations. Those are directly valid in all member states without them needing to do anything.
- stevetrewick 11y ago
  AIUI, either the Council (of ministers, i.e. the various appointed government representatives) or the Commission ( the technocratic bureaucracy which may have regulatory power delegated to them in some area of competence by the Council) can issue a regulation. The parliament, however, cannot. Power in 'the EU' is wielded largely by the CoM and the Commission, the parliament is just a side show. The EU is a fundamentally technocratic, not democratic, institution, This is by design. edit : fat fingers