La voie des réformes de l'UEM: "le futur ancien n'est pas notre avenir"

in Revue des Affaires Européennes (2022), 2021(3), 545-563

of a set of reforms in the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU). The economic union is particularly concerned. The reforms implemented so far have been carried out without any change to the substance of the ... [more ▼]

of a set of reforms in the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU). The economic union is particularly concerned. The reforms implemented so far have been carried out without any change to the substance of the EU constitutional framework, given that they made use of both the extensive substantive scope of EU legislative decision-making power in the field of economic union and the development of institutional practices to fill gaps or complement the EU legal framework. In so doing, EMU developments are condemned to take place within the limits of constitutional provisions that are outdated in many respects, increasingly complex, confusing and unreadable. Achieving a genuine EMU means breaking out of this status quo. Constitutional revision is no longer an option: it is a prerequisite for the well functioning of EMU. [less ▲]

L’Union européenne de la santé : perspectives d’action extérieure

in Revue des Affaires Européennes (2021)

The European Union’s role in international health issues is of particular importance in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic. The Union aims to strengthen global health policy, in order to build a ... [more ▼]

The European Union’s role in international health issues is of particular importance in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic. The Union aims to strengthen global health policy, in order to build a European Health Union and consolidate its role in the international scene. Article 168 TFEU enables the Union to collaborate with international organisations and partner countries and to participate in the WHO governing bodies despite the absence of full party status. The alignment of internal policies with the objective of protection and improvement of human health gives the Union the implied external competence to participate in international agreements and envisage its active role in the elaboration of an international pandemic treaty. Besides, the Union has recourse to international trade measures in order to preserve the level of human health protection. The global approach of its external action objectives enables the Union to promote human health protection as a value in the conduct of its external policies and to support partner countries in their response to health threats. The Union gradually becomes a unified actor in global health security preparedness and response capacity. [less ▲]

La réinvention du droit de l’Union européenne par les acteurs juridiques nationaux : le cas de l’intention du législateur en common law

in Revue des Affaires Européennes (2020), (4), 865-880

In this article, it is proposed to take the differences in the practice of EU law seriously. The aim is not to construct a ‘correct’ content of European legal rules, concepts and methods, which would be ... [more ▼]

In this article, it is proposed to take the differences in the practice of EU law seriously. The aim is not to construct a ‘correct’ content of European legal rules, concepts and methods, which would be different from their content in the legal practices studied, neither to discover the economic and political interests ‘hidden’ behind the use of EU legal arguments. The local practices of EU law are studied in their own discursive and cultural context. Their interpretation gives us important information on the legal cultures in which these practices evolve, but also on EU law and EU integration. The proposed approach is exemplified through the narration of the story of purposive interpretation in the common law. This technique, typical of Continental systems and of the case law of the ECJ, was long rejected in the common law as a prohibited trespassing of the limits of judicial competence. Its reception under the influence of European law has been the vector of a significant transformation of the common law into a rational legal order based on substantive values. While this proves that convergence between European legal systems is possible, it also shows that this convergence does not necessary imply the advancement of socio-political integration in Europe. Once received in the common law, the technique of purposive interpretation is reinvented to serve common lawyers’ goals, which do not always coincide with those of European institutions and of the ECJ. [less ▲]

Régime d’aides d’État et exonération fiscale d’une école religieuse CJUE, gde ch., 27 juin 2017, Congregación de Escuelas Pías Provincia Betania / Ayuntamiento de Getafe, aff. C-74/16, EU:C:2017:496

in Revue des Affaires Européennes (2017)

Le problème juridique posé par l’affaire Escuelas Pías concerne la qualification d’une école religieuse sans but lucratif en tant qu’« entreprise » au regard de l’article 107 TFUE 11, un problème qui ... [more ▼]

Le problème juridique posé par l’affaire Escuelas Pías concerne la qualification d’une école religieuse sans but lucratif en tant qu’« entreprise » au regard de l’article 107 TFUE 11, un problème qui dérive de l’attribution, par le droit espagnol, d’exonérations fis- cales aux institutions catholiques s’engageant dans des activités économiques. Dans sa réponse à la demande préjudicielle, la Cour de justice semble vouloir éviter de prendre une position trop nette : elle ne se prononce pas sur plusieurs questions concernant la compatibilité avec le droit de l’UE des exonérations fiscales pour les écoles catholiques ou elle en renvoie l’appréciation au juge national. [less ▲]