Democracy Impacts

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.
Migration, Greek Debt Reveal Stark Divisions Within EU

July 07, 2015

The New York Times reports that two recent issues facing Europe - the arrival of waves of migrants in Southern European countries and negotiations over Greece's debt payments - have spotlighted deep divisions among EU member states and have led to the rise of anti-EU sentiment across the bloc.
Extensive Report Calls for EU Reform or British Exit

July 06, 2015

A new, 1000-page report from the nongovernmental organization Business for Britain - entitled "Change, or Go" - calls for Britain to exit the EU if UK Prime Minister David Cameron cannot reclaim substantial sovereign authority from the EU in upcoming negotiations.
Telegraph: Events Show Momentum for EU Reform

July 06, 2015

An editorial in The Telegraph argues that recent events, including the formation of a center-right, euroskeptic coalition government in Denmark, demonstrate that UK Prime Minister David Cameron can tap into a growing call for reform in Europe as he negotiates a new relationship between his country and the EU.
Will: Greek EU Exit Would Have Positive Effects

July 01, 2015

George Will writes that Greece's exit from the EU would serve both as a message regarding the effects of socialism on the well-being of a country's citizens, as well as encouragement to other EU member states to reclaim sovereignty from the bloc.
Schulz: UK-EU Renegotiation Based on Lies

June 26, 2015

The Telegraph reports that, while calling for Britain to remain in the EU, arguing that "the UK belongs to the EU," President of the European Parliament Martin Schulz said the campaign in the UK to renegotiate the terms of its EU membership is pushed forward by "outright lies" and irrational fear of migrants.
Hammond: UK Seeks "Democratic" EU in Negotiations

June 10, 2015

Acknowledging the transfer of national sovereignty to the EU from its member states, British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond writes in The Irish Times that the UK's negotiated EU reforms must work toward a more democratic bloc with decisions taken closer to the citizens and more powers at the national level.