Democracy Impacts

French President Proposes Eurozone Government

July 21, 2015

Arguing that the lack of strong supranational institutions is a threat to Europe, French President François Hollande has called for the 19 countries in the eurozone to be bound by a central government, including a common budget and parliament.
Erlanger: Euro May "Shatter" EU Project

July 17, 2015

Steven Erlanger of The New York Times writes that the Greek financial crisis has highlighted how the introduction of the euro, rather than hastening "ever closer union," could potentially pull the EU apart.
Techau: EU Must Have Political Union to Survive

July 15, 2015

Director of Carnegie Europe Jan Techau writes that EU political integration is the necessary cost of economic union, and that leaders, like German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who pursue EU economic competitiveness without surrendering sovereignty are pushing for a "fundamental contradiction."
Elliott: Greece Deal May Reduce UK Influence in EU

July 15, 2015

Matthew Elliott of the organization Business for Britain has written an article warning that the recent deal struck on Greek debt could result in greater eurozone integration, which would hamper the UK's ability to protect its financial services and other industries from EU measures if the UK votes to remain in the bloc.
Britain to Seek Opt-out from EU Employment Measures

July 14, 2015

The Telegraph reports that UK Prime Minister David Cameron has indicated one of his goals in his country's renegotiation of competences with the EU will be to opt out of EU employment measures, including a directive that limits the amount of time employees are permitted to work.
British Euroskeptics See Greece as Case for EU Exit

July 10, 2015

Reuters reports that supporters of a UK exit from the EU believe Greece's financial crisis and conflict with its EU creditors provide a substantial case for their goal of unbinding themselves from the bloc.
Farage: Greek Referendum Signals Broad Rejection of EU

July 09, 2015

UK Member of the European Parliament Nigel Farage writes that the outcome of the recent referendum in Greece, rejecting the demands of the country's creditors despite pressure from EU leaders, demonstrates the disillusionment of young people with a "united" Europe and their support for national democracy.
EU Commissioner: Farage Is "Right Too Often"

July 09, 2015

While he views the euroskeptic leader's solutions to the transfer of national sovereignty to Brussels as "morally completely unacceptable," EU Commission Vice-President Frans Timmermans has conceded that UK Independence Party's Nigel Farage is "right too often" regarding the problems the EU faces.
Hannan: EU Negotiation Must Focus on Restoring UK Sovereignty

July 08, 2015

British Member of the European Parliament Daniel Hannan writes that amending EU treaties to remove the direct effect of EU legislation, thus restoring the UK's sovereign authority to make laws, must be part of any meaningful renegotiation of competences between the UK and the EU.
Report: UK Can Only Control Migration Through EU Exit

July 08, 2015

The report "Change, or Go" published by the nongovernmental organization Business for Britain explains that the UK can only achieve meaningful control over the number of migrants entering the country - and the level of skills they bring - by leaving the EU.