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Does the L isbon Treaty Effectively Limit the Power of the E uropean Union?
Author(s) -
Ciclet Émilie
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
economic affairs
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.24
H-Index - 18
eISSN - 1468-0270
pISSN - 0265-0665
DOI - 10.1111/ecaf.12019
Subject(s) - commission , treaty , position (finance) , power (physics) , political science , limit (mathematics) , law , law and economics , business , economics , mathematics , physics , mathematical analysis , finance , quantum mechanics
Although the L isbon Treaty recognises the necessity to limit the power of the E uropean Union, some of its limitations are poorly expressed. As a result, the E uropean Commission has the possibility to act arbitrarily by expanding Union power. The position of the Commission is pre‐eminent, notably with respect to the drafting of EU measures. Not only can the Commission expand Union power, but it may also favour certain actors at the expense of the principals (Member States and their citizens). Indeed, the Commission may apply definitions of the ‘common E uropean interest’ that go beyond the preferences of the principals.