C-387/97, Commission v Greece

C-387/97, Commission v Greece
Photo by Andre Benz / Unsplash

Key Points to Note in This Case

• The European Commission brought the first case against Greece in 2000 under Article 260 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).

• Initially, the courts were slow to impose sanctions.

• However, the rate at which cases are referred has increased since then.

‘n-factor’

• This criterion determines member states’ ability to pay fines.

• It should be determined in light of the GDP of the member state and the number of votes they hold in the Council.

• In 2014, the old weighted voting system in the Council was replaced with the double majority voting system.

• The latter criterion (number of votes in the Council) was simply abandoned.

• Now, the ‘n-factor’ is based solely on the member states’ GDP.