Aufgabe HT 2 · Abitur NRW Sozialwissenschaften GK · Haupttermin · bilingual Englisch 2021

1. Describe how two institutions of the European Union (EU) are composed and which powers they hold.

Lösung: Description of two EU institutions (e.g. European Council and European Parliament): 1. European Council (Europäischer Rat): - Composition: Heads of State or Government of the 27 EU member states, the President of the European Council, the President of the European Commission, and (in an advisory capacity) the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. - Powers/Tasks: Setting the general political directions and priorities of the EU; impulse generator for the further development of European integration; handling major issues where no consensus could be found in the Council of the EU; nominating the Commission President. 2. European Parliament (Europäisches Parlament): - Composition: 705 directly elected Members from all EU member states via national electoral systems; degressively proportional representation based on population size. - Powers/Tasks: Legislative function (debating and passing EU legislation jointly with the Council of the EU); budgetary authority (passing the EU budget jointly with the Council); democratic oversight and control over other institutions (especially the Commission, including committees of inquiry and motions of censure); electing the Commission President and approving the College of Commissioners.

2. a) Analyse the stance the speaker takes on how the EU should develop in the future.

Lösung: Analysis of von der Leyen's speech: - Text classification: Excerpt from Ursula von der Leyen's speech before the EP plenary on 27 November 2019 presenting her College of Commissioners and agenda; theme is the future development and strategic orientation of the EU. - Position: The EU must build on its past integration successes and step forward as a global leader and champion of multilateralism based on European values. Integration must be deepened proactively in key areas. - Line of reasoning: * Historical review of courage and achievements versus recent reactive crisis management (ll. 3–7). * Diagnosis of a fractured world challenged by unilateralism, corruption, and instability (ll. 12–14). * Call to leadership: multilateralism, open doors for Western Balkans, close transatlantic partnership (ll. 15–29). * Key policy pillars: European Green Deal as an existential imperative and economic/industrial growth driver (ll. 36–60); Digitalisation managed through a European path balancing innovation and public welfare (ll. 62–71). * Concluding multilingual rallying call ('Vive l’Europe, es lebe Europa, long live Europe!'). - Rhetorical devices & Argumentation: Inclusive plural pronouns ('we must', 'we share', 'we will') to forge unity; evocative, emotional imagery ('myriad of fine threads', 'part of our European family... out in the cold'); recurring motivating leitmotif ('Let us get to work'). - Intention: Mobilise MEPs and member states to support her progressive, proactive programme across foreign affairs, climate policy, and digital transformation.

2. b) Explain what the speaker means by being “bold” in ll. 3 – 6, drawing on two events from the past course of European integration.

Lösung: Explanation of 'being bold' referencing two integration milestones: 1. 'We were bold when we sought peace where there was pain' (l. 3): Refers to the founding of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC / Montanunion) in 1951 (Schuman Declaration 1950). Pooling Franco-German coal and steel under a common High Authority made war materially impossible and laid the economic foundation for post-WWII reconciliation and lasting European peace. 2. 'We were bold when we created a single market and a single currency' (l. 4): Refers to the Single European Act (1986) establishing the four freedoms of the Internal Market and the Maastricht Treaty (1992) establishing the European Union and the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU), which culminated in the introduction of the Euro. 3. 'We were bold when we welcomed part of our European family that had been out in the cold for too long' (ll. 5–6): Refers to the Eastern Enlargement (EU-Osterweiterung), particularly the 2004 accession of ten Central and Eastern European states (plus Malta and Cyprus), followed by Romania and Bulgaria in 2007 and Croatia in 2013, overcoming the Cold War division of Europe.

3. Draft a speech in which you respond to von der Leyen in your role as a member of the European Parliament. Take up two of her remarks on the EU’s future development and add one proposal that would help the EU to be “a force for peace and for positive change” (l. 16).

Lösung: Speech draft as an MEP replying to von der Leyen: - Formal structure & Rhetorical opening: Appropriate salutation ('Madam President-elect, Colleagues, Honourable Members'), setting a clear parliamentary context and responding to von der Leyen's presentation. - Reference to two remarks by von der Leyen: 1. Western Balkans / Enlargement ('Our door remains open'): Commending the commitment to the Western Balkans, while pointing out the necessity of clear reform roadmaps, the protection of the rule of law, and overcoming internal EU stalemates regarding candidate status (e.g. North Macedonia). 2. European Green Deal: Welcoming the ambition to become climate-neutral by 2050 and set global green industrial standards, but critically examining the funding mechanism, social cushioning for coal-dependent regions, and distribution of the financial burden across member states. - Own concrete proposal for the EU to be 'a force for peace and for positive change': Deepening the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) by establishing permanent joint European response forces or expanding civil-military crisis prevention capabilities in line with NATO, while strengthening European diplomacy, democratic development aid, and conflict prevention globally. - Persuasive conclusion: Recalling core European values (peace, solidarity, human rights), summarising the parliamentary commitment to critical scrutiny and constructive cooperation, and ending with an inspiring appeal for European solidarity.