ABSTRACT
The European Union (EU) is a mix of two types of political organization that are familiar with: an intergovernmental organization (like the UN, OECD or WTO) and a federal state. The EU has characteristics of both models. How much of each depends on the area that is talking about – trade, foreign policy or social matters, for example. The EU has exclusive right to decide in these areas: customs union, internal market competition rules, monetary policy for the euro countries, fishing quotas, and common commercial policy (trade agreements). In these areas, both the EU and the member countries make decisions, but EU law has primacy. Member states may only regulate matters that have not been regulated by the EU. The EU also affects local and regional politics. Local reporters should keep that a substantial part of what appears to be decided in the town hall is directly or indirectly influenced by prior decisions at the EU level.
