Democracy Impacts

Business Group: "Brexit" Could Cause Irish EU Exit

May 20, 2015

The Irish Times reports that the head of the Irish business organization Ibec argues that if Britain exits the EU in its planned referendum, it would attract outside investment in the U.K. economy and should spur Ireland to consider leaving the EU as well.
Former Italian PM: Build a "Two-Speed" EU

May 15, 2015

Arguing that the exit of the U.K. from the EU would signal the "death throes" of the project, former Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta writes that the EU should allow the U.K. and other non-eurozone countries to form an EU "slow track" that is not committed to political integration.
Britain Faces Complications in Negotiating EU Reform

May 13, 2015

An article in The New York Times details the complications British Prime Minister David Cameron will likely face in renegotiating the U.K.'s relationship with the EU, including the difficulty of winning reform in the bloc in the time frame prior to the country's pledged referendum.
U.K. Seeks Broad Immigration Changes from EU

May 13, 2015

The Daily Mail reports that British Prime Minister David Cameron is pursuing extensive reforms of his country's ties with the EU, seeking limits to benefits for new EU migrants, a right of deportation of migrants who do not find work, and an opt-out from the EU treaty provision on "ever closer union."
Proposal Increases EU Member Authority on Legislation

May 13, 2015

EurActiv reports that a leaked European Commission document proposes increased consultation over initiating legislation by the EU Parliament and Council - and thus by national governments - in return for all institutions backing the Commission's push against EU "red tape."
U.K. Will Pursue Reforms of Relationship with Europe

May 12, 2015

The Guardian reports that the newly elected British Government will quickly pursue legislation that would alter its relationship with the European institutions, including a repeal of the U.K. Human Rights Act.
Johnson: U.K. Euroskeptics Have European Allies

May 11, 2015

Following the victory of the U.K. Conservatives in national elections last week, Mayor of London Boris Johnson writes that as the British Government proceeds with negotiations over EU competences, it will find many others across Europe who are seeking greater respect for national sovereignty in Brussels.
Stanley: EU Was Focal Point in U.K. Election

May 08, 2015

Writing in The Telegraph, Tim Stanley argues that constitutional issues, including the U.K.'s membership in the EU, "dominated" the British election and calls on voters to hold reelected Prime Minister David Cameron to his promise of an EU referendum in 2017.
Evans-Pritchard: Cameron May Keep U.K. in EU

May 07, 2015

The Telegraph's Ambrose Evans-Pritchard writes that, contrary to the views of those in Brussels and elsewhere who have expressed alarm regarding U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron's call for a referendum on the EU, Cameron may be the most likely candidate to avert "Brexit."
ALDE Seeks to Become "Supranational Party"

May 05, 2015

In a recent interview with EurActiv, President of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe ("ALDE") Sir Graham Watson explains his party's decision to become the first of the European party groups to offer individual membership as a recognition of the "supranational" nature of current challenges in Europe.