EUROPEAN UNION CITIZENSHIP

Legal Framework of European Union Citizenship

Legal Framework of European Union Citizenship

Introduction

European citizenship establishes in 2002 with the Treaty on European Union signed in Masstricht, gives us new rights and duties. This citizenship strengthens the integration process in which the European Union itself increasingly involving citizens. But basically, what does it mean to be "European citizens"? How does that translate into our daily lives? What are our new rights? (Wiener 2008 74)

Genesis of European citizenship

Citizenship is a legal concept conferring rights, complemented by a symbolic dimension. People's Europe based mainly on the multiplication of common identification symbols (the euro, the European flag with twelve stars or the European anthem, etc.)... Citizenship is the formal relationship between an individual and a State. (Soysal 2004 23)According to many historians, the first European Parliament elections by direct universal suffrage in 1979 were a milestone in creating the concept of European citizenship. Recall that the European Parliament represents the citizens and work for a legal framework favorable to them with protective legislation. In 1984, a Committee for Europe of the citizens, the committee Adonnino was established. It aimed to promote European citizenship. In 1989, the achievement of Europe's citizens is affirmed as a general goal in a decision by the Court of Justice. (O'Leary 2006 14)

European citizenship acquired constitutional recognition to the Treaty of Maastricht in 2002. The Amsterdam Treaty of 2007 states that European citizenship in addition to the national and does not replace it. It complements the national rights of citizens of member states by specific duties to the European Union (EU). This gives the most tangible sense of belonging of the citizen in the Union. (Meehan 2003 5)The nationality of a Member State is a matter directly to the national law of the State in which the EU cannot interfere. Therefore, the designs of rigid and flexible states of the Union for granting and withdrawing nationality have a direct impact on defining the number of people who can claim citizenship of the Union and therefore the exercise of his rights. Indeed, a citizen of the European Union "any person holding the nationality of a Member State" (Article 17 of the Treaty establishing the European Community, TEC).

The specific rights granted to European citizens

In addition to the rights and duties under the Treaty establishing the European Community, Union citizenship confers four special rights (Articles 18-21 TEC):

Freedom of movement and residence throughout the Union

Freedom of movement has existed since the Treaty of Rome (1957). It lies at the heart of European citizenship. Initially considered only in its economic dimension through the community worker, this freedom is now extended to benefit all European citizens. Article 18 § 1 of the TEC provides that "any citizen of the Union has the right to move and reside freely within the territory of Member States, subject to the limitations and conditions laid down by this Treaty and the provisions implementing it. " However, some jobs are reserved for nationals; others are offered without distinction of nationality.

The right to vote and stand in municipal elections and the European Parliament in the ...