Protecting the Fundamentals

Policy Study

Article 7 TEU is currently perceived to be an insufficient mechanism to protect the values of the European Union.  But what else can be envisioned under current EU law? Professor Pinelli, University of Rome “Sapienza”  analyses for the FEPS Jurists Network the possibilities.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.) FROM THE COPENHAGEN CRITERIA TO ARTICLE 7 TEU

2.) SCOPE AND FEASIBILITY OF ARTICLE 7 TEU’S MECHANISMS

3.) THE POLITICAL UNWILLINGNESS TO USE ARTICLE 7 TEU’S MECHANISMS

4.) THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ARTICLE 2 AND ARTICLE 4 (2) TEU

5.) THE THREE MAIN HYPOTHESIS
A) PURELY JUDICIAL INTERVENTION
B) INFRINGEMENT ACTION
C) MONITORING RESPECT FROM MEMBER STATES OF ARTICLE 7 TEU’S OBLIGATIONS

6.) DIFFERENCES AMONG THE HYPOTHESIS
6.1. OBJECT OF THE INTERVENTION
6.2. LEGAL ISSUES
6.3. EFFICACY

7.) CONCLUDING REMARKS ON THE EU MECHANISMS AIMED AT PROTECTING ‘THE VALUES ON WHICH THE UNION IS FOUNDED’ WITHIN MEMBER STATES

8.) COUNCIL OF EUROPE’S SANCTIONS AGAINST VIOLATIONS FROM MEMBER STATES OF THE RULE OF LAW AND OF HUMAN RIGHTS

BIBLIOGRAPHY