there is no "central government". Ireland was not so long ago a receiver of large EU subsidies and at the same time permitted tax evasion. The EU Commission now ruled that those tax evasion schemes are illegal subsidies to the companies, if these ruling holds, is another matter.
You're right, I meant The EU Commission flexing its autonomy over the member states using its own courts, governing abilities, and physical location. If only there was a word for that.
The European Commission was created by the member states to ensure that the rules that they collectively agreed upon are enforced; it is not "flexing its autonomy". Any member state that no longer wants this is free to invoke Article 50 and leave the union.
The US Federal Government was formed by its member states too. Turns out it got way richer and noticed that all commerce is interstate commerce over the last century and uses that to flex its autonomy over all facets of life within the states.
EU isn't acting that different, one ruling at a time.
