21. Ответьте на вопросы.

1. Why do you think the Pinochet case is so interesting from the point of view of international law?

1. What was the ruling of the court in this case?

2. What do you think about the immunity for Former Heads of State?

Tfext8

THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

The EC Parliament is not to be equated with the Westminster model. It cannot legislate in its own right, it does not possess any form of parliamentary sovereignty, and it exercises limited but growing supervisory powers. In particular the Parliament:

1. advises the Council of Ministers on Commission proposals;

2. with the Council of Ministers, determines the budget for the Community;

3. exerts some political control over the Council and Commission;

4. by debate can attract publicity to issues which then have to be considered by the Commission or the Council.

The European Parliament has 518 members who represent the citizens of the Community. Members are directly elected and serve for a period of five years. The citizens of France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom are each represented by 81 members; Spain by 60 members; the Netherlands by 25 members; Belgium, Greece and Portugal each by 24 members; Denmark by 16, Ireland by 15 and Luxembourg by 6 members. The composition of Parliament makes it a fully integrated Community institution. The members do not sit in Parliament in national groups but in political party groups. The six main political party groups at present are the Communists, Socialists, European People's Party, European Progressive Democrats, European Democrats and the Liberal and Democratic Group.

The European Parliament meets on average once a month, for sessions which last up to a week. It has 18 standing committees which discuss proposals made by the Commission. The committees present reports on these proposals for debate by the full Parliament. Decisions made by Parliament are influential on the Council of Ministers but are not binding. However, direct

elections have given Parliament greater political authority and new prestige both inside and outside the Community. The Parliament has the right to question members of the Commission and Council and is therefore able to monitor the work of these institutions. It has the power to dismiss the Commission by a two-thirds majority vote, and to reject the Council's proposals for the Community budget.

Notes

be equated with — приравнивать к

legislate — издавать законы

exercise powers — осуществлять, использовать полномочия

supervisory — наблюдательный

be directly elected - избираться напрямую

serve — служить

citizen - гражданин

composition — состав

on average — в среднем

standing committees — постоянные комитеты

political authority — политическая власть

monitor — направлять, следить за чем-л.

dismiss — распустить (комиссию)

reject — отклонять

Упражнения

*22. Соотнесите слова из левой колонки с их синонимами в правой.

1. standing a. to legislate

2. to serve b. binding

3. to make laws с to monitor

4. compulsory d. to work

5. to keep an eye on e. permanent

*23. Выразите свое согласие или несогласие со следующими утверждениями.

1. The EC Parliament is to be equated with the Westminster model.

2. Decisions made by the EC Parliament are binding for the Council of ministers.

3. The EC Parliament has the power to reject the Council's proposals for the Community budget.