Democracy Impacts

EU Criticizes EFTA Members for Not Implementing Directives

April 17, 2015

The EU agency monitoring the compliance of countries in the European Free Trade Association ("EFTA") with EU legislation has criticized these countries for their failure to quickly implement EU directives through national legislation.
Elliott Criticizes EU Refusal to Consider Treaty Change

April 16, 2015

Matthew Elliott of Business for Britain writes that the refusal by European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and others to consider amendments to the EU treaties in the short term is a mistake that will make it more difficult to keep the U.K. inside the bloc.
EU Diplomat: New Swiss Immigration Referendum Is "Inevitable"

April 10, 2015

EUobserver reports that Deputy Secretary General of the EU diplomatic service Maciej Popowski has predicted that a new Swiss referendum, stepping back from restrictions on immigration from the EU, is "inevitable" and says Switzerland must "change logic" regarding these restrictions.
British MPs Criticize BBC Coverage of EU

March 25, 2015

Members of Parliament ("MPs") on the U.K. European Scrutiny Committee have published a report criticizing the British Broadcasting Corporation ("BBC") for allegedly biased coverage on issues relating to the EU.
Open Europe: Post-EU Britain Can Prosper

March 23, 2015

A report published by think tank Open Europe predicts that the costs and benefits of a U.K. exit from the EU depend whether Britain cultivates new trading partners and reduces regulation or whether it becomes more isolated upon leaving the bloc.
Juncker Rejects EU Treaty Changes on Free Movement

March 18, 2015

While indicating a willingness to work with U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron on ensuring that EU free movement rules are not abused, President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker has rejected the possibility of amending the free movement provisions in EU treaties.
Open Europe: EU Regulations Impose High Costs on U.K.

March 18, 2015

Think tank Open Europe has published research demonstrating that the 100 most burdensome EU-derived regulations cost the British economy over £33 billion per year.
Crook: EU Bank's Lack of Accountability Endangers Bloc

March 18, 2015

Clive Crook argues that the lack of accountability of citizens of eurozone countries over the European Central Bank is part of a "democratic deficit" that may endanger the entire EU project.
Tusk Deems EU Treaty Change "Mission Impossible"

March 16, 2015

European Council President Donald Tusk has labeled the U.K. Government's prospects of amending EU treaties "mission impossible" but says he will work with Britain to generate limited changes in the country's relationship with the EU.
Iceland Pulls out of EU Accession Negotiations

March 13, 2015

Minister for Foreign Affairs of Iceland Gunnar Bragi Sveinsson has announced that the country does not intend to restart negotiations to become a member of the EU.