PhD student: Dr N. Cambien

Promotor: Prof K. Lenaerts

Duration: 1/10/2007 - 30/9/2011

PhD defence: Leuven, 18/11/2011

Abstract:

PhD candidate examines, from a legal perspective, the extent to which the provisions on citizenship of the Union can bring about an actual contribution to the European integration process. Citizenship of the Union confers a new fundamental status on nationals of the Member States, which entails a number of important rights that can be exercised throughout the EU. However, the implementation of this concept creates tensions with certain legitimate interests of the Member States, such as the need to preserve a balanced social system, and the desire to preserve national political sovereignty. The PhD is intended to more clearly determine how the enlarging effects of European citizenship can be reconciled with these interests, focussing on three main fields: the personal scope of citizenship, free movement of citizens, and rights and duties of citizens.