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How Europe works (1/2)
This sheet presents the history of the main European institutions. It also helps to identify these institutions.
Key points of the sheet
- Today's European institutions are the result of constant change. Treaties reorganised the founding institutions, and new institutions appeared step by step.
- In 1951, the CECA is organised with four institutions.
- The High Authority represents the general interest of the CECA, and the Common Assembly the peoples of the member countries. The Special Council of Ministers represents the member States. The Court of Justice ensures respect for and application of the Treaty of Paris.
- In 1957, the Commission replaces the High Authority. It proposes laws and checks how they are carried out.
- The Common Assembly becomes the European Consultative Assembly. In 1962, it becomes the European Parliament, with wider powers.
- The European Court of Auditors is created in 1975. The European Central Bank is created in 1998, when the euro is created as the single currency.
- The European Council appears in the 1960s as irregular meetings. It becomes an institution in 2009.
Words to know
- CECA
- The CECA is organised in 1951 with four institutions, including the High Authority.
- High Authority (Haute Autorité)
- It represents the general interest of the CECA. The Commission replaces it in 1957.
- Commission
- This institution from 1957 proposes laws and checks how they are carried out.
- European Parliament (Parlement européen)
- The European Consultative Assembly becomes the European Parliament in 1962, with wider powers.
- Court of Justice (Cour de justice)
- It ensures respect for and application of the Treaty of Paris.
- European Central Bank (Banque centrale européenne)
- It is created in 1998, when the euro is created as the single currency.
- European Council (Conseil européen)
- It starts as irregular meetings in the 1960s. It becomes an institution in 2009.
Test yourself: 3 questions
In which year does the European Consultative Assembly become the European Parliament?
In French, the language of the exam: En quelle année l'Assemblée européenne consultative devient-elle le Parlement européen ?
In 1962, the European Consultative Assembly becomes the European Parliament.
Which institution replaces the High Authority in 1957?
In French, the language of the exam: Quelle institution remplace la Haute Autorité en 1957 ?
In 1957, the High Authority is replaced by the Commission.
In which year does the European Council become an institution?
In French, the language of the exam: En quelle année le Conseil européen devient-il une institution ?
The European Council, at first a series of irregular meetings, becomes an institution in 2009.
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Source
Sheet “Le fonctionnement européen (1/2)” of the French Ministry of the Interior: formation-civique.interieur.gouv.fr. Content published under the Etalab Open Licence 2.0. This page is a plain-language adaptation made by Hexaciv, which is not an official site: if in doubt, the ministry's text is the one that counts.
Ministry sheet read on 23 October 2026, still identical on 25 October 2026.