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Why is the EU called the "new legal order"? Discover the secrets of its legal basis!
The EU's legal system is a set of rules that operates among member states to promote peace, values and the well-being of people. Since the end of World War II, the establishment of the European Coal and Steel Community marked the birth of a new form of international cooperation that later developed into today's European Union. The EU's political institutions, social and economic policies transcend national boundaries and aim to promote cooperation and human development. Therefore, the EU is called the "new legal order" by its legal circles, which refers to its unique system formed under the international legal framework.
The EU's basic legal documents include the Treaty on European Union and the Treaty on the Functioning of Europe. The existence of these treaties requires member states to jointly abide by a set of established legal norms.
Historical background
As for international cooperation under the concept of democracy, the message can be traced back to the birth of modern countries. Most of the concepts of integration in ancient Europe were based on hegemony, such as the empire of Alexander the Great and the Catholic Church, dominated by the Holy See. With the rise of the Renaissance, European trade organizations such as the Hanseatic League formed business norms based on the basic principles of good reputation and fair trade.
After the reform movement broke out in the fifteenth century, the century-long crisis and instability made it necessary for countries to find new cooperation frameworks to maintain lasting peace.
The legal basis of the European Union
The legal basis of the EU mainly comes from the Treaty on European Union (TEU) and the Treaty on the Functioning of Europe (TFEU). These treaties not only establish the EU's institutions, but also clarify its powers and responsibilities, and stipulate various areas in which the EU can formulate bills and regulations. The European Commission has the power to propose new laws, a right known as "legislative initiative". In the normal legislative process, the European Parliament and the European Council (composed of government ministers of member states) must jointly approve a bill before it can be passed.
The Court is also an important guardian of the rule of law within the Union, ensuring that all member states comply with EU law, thereby promoting social justice and human rights.
Member States and their competences
According to Article 49 of the Treaty on European Union, new members must follow the Union's norms and demonstrate their democratic governance structures and respect for human rights. Existing members may opt out in accordance with their own constitutional procedures. Article 50 of the Treaty stipulates the withdrawal procedure and does not allow the EU to force a country to withdraw.
The EU’s institutions and execution capabilities
As the EU's main executive agency, the European Commission is responsible for promoting common interests. The members of the committee must be completely independent and cannot accept instructions from any government. The European Council is composed of the heads of member states and is responsible for appointing members and the Board of Governors of the European Central Bank.
Each member state holds one member, who is elected by the European Parliament, which ensures citizen participation in the legislative process.
Conclusion
To summarize, the EU not only emphasizes economic integration in its development process, but also pays more attention to social progress and the improvement of human rights. The construction of this new legal order allows different countries to coexist on the basis of peace and cooperation. As times change, in what form will the EU continue to evolve in the future?
