Name : Waleed Haider Roll No:
4326 Submitted Date: 12-May-2025
Teacher: Mam Iqra Sarfraz TOPIC:
The Role of the European Union in Shaping
Domestic Politics of France and Germany
Introduction
The European Union (EU) has played a significant role in
shaping the domestic politics of its member states, including
France and Germany. As two of the founding members of the
EU, France and Germany have been at the forefront of
European integration. This essay will examine the role of the
EU in shaping the domestic politics of France and Germany,
focusing on the impact of EU policies and institutions on
domestic political debates, party politics, and governance.
Historical Context
The EU’s impact on domestic politics in France and Germany
can be understood within the context of European
integration. The creation of the European Coal and Steel
Community (ECSC) in 1951 marked the beginning of
European integration, with France and Germany playing key
roles. The ECSC was followed by the creation of the European
Economic Community (EEC) in 1957, which aimed to establish
a common market among its member states.
Key Features of the ECSC and EEC
1. Supranational Institutions_: The ECSC and EEC
established supranational institutions, such as the
European Commission and the European Court of
Justice, which had the power to make decisions that
were binding on member states.
2. Common Policies_: The ECSC and EEC established
common policies, such as the Common Agricultural
Policy (CAP) and the Common Commercial Policy (CCP),
which aimed to promote economic integration among
member states.
3. Economic Integration_: The ECSC and EEC aimed to
promote economic integration among member states,
through the creation of a common market and the
elimination of trade barriers.
EU Policies and Domestic Politics in France
EU policies have had a significant impact on domestic politics
in France. Some of the key areas where EU policies have
influenced domestic politics include:
Agricultural Policy
1. Common Agricultural Policy (CAP)_: The CAP is a
common policy of the EU that aims to promote
agricultural production and stability in the agricultural
sector.
2. Impact on French Farmers_: The CAP has had a
significant impact on French farmers, who have
benefited from the policy’s price support mechanisms
and subsidies.
3. Controversies and Criticisms_: The CAP has been
criticized for its impact on the environment, its
inefficiency, and its failure to promote agricultural
development in developing countries.
Economic Policy
1. Stability and Growth Pact_: The Stability and Growth
Pact is a fiscal policy framework of the EU that aims to
promote fiscal discipline and stability among member
states.
2. Impact on French Economic Policy_: The pact has had a
significant impact on French economic policy, with the
French government being required to meet the pact’s
fiscal targets and guidelines.
3. Controversies and Criticisms_: The pact has been
criticized for its rigidity, its failure to take into account
the specific economic circumstances of member states,
and its impact on social welfare policies.
Immigration Policy
1. Schengen Agreement_: The Schengen Agreement is a
treaty of the EU that aims to promote the free
movement of people among member states.
2. Impact on French Immigration Policy_: The agreement
has had a significant impact on French immigration
policy, with the French government being required to
implement the agreement’s provisions on border control
and immigration.
3. Controversies and Criticisms_: The agreement has been
criticized for its impact on national sovereignty, its
failure to address the root causes of migration, and its
impact on social welfare policies.
EU Policies and Domestic Politics in Germany
EU policies have also had a significant impact on domestic
politics in Germany. Some of the key areas where EU policies
have influenced domestic politics include:
Economic Policy
1. Stability and Growth Pact_: The pact has had a
significant impact on German economic policy, with the
German government being required to meet the pact’s
fiscal targets and guidelines.
2. Impact on German Economic Policy_: The pact has
influenced German economic policy, with the German
government implementing austerity measures to meet
the pact’s fiscal targets.
3. Controversies and Criticisms_: The pact has been
criticized for its rigidity, its failure to take into account
the specific economic circumstances of member states,
and its impact on social welfare policies.
Energy Policy
1. Renewable Energy Directive_: The directive is a policy of
the EU that aims to promote the use of renewable
energy sources among member states.
2. Impact on German Energy Policy_: The directive has had
a significant impact on German energy policy, with the
German government implementing policies to promote
the use of renewable energy sources.
3. Controversies and Criticisms_: The directive has been
criticized for its impact on energy prices, its failure to
take into account the specific energy circumstances of
member states, and its impact on energy security.
Immigration Policy
1. Schengen Agreement_: The agreement has had a
significant impact on German immigration policy, with
the German government being required to implement
the agreement’s provisions on border control and
immigration.
2. Impact on German Immigration Policy_: The agreement
has influenced
