Democracy Impacts

European Commission Launches Formal Procedure Against Poland Relating to Judicial Reforms

April 29, 2020

The European Commission has launched a new formal procedure against 2019 reforms in Poland that introduce disciplinary liability of judges, including for questioning the effectiveness of the appointment of a judge upon recommendation of the new National Court Register and for public activities that are incompatible with the principles of independence of courts and judges.
EU Privacy Body Issues COVID-19 Data Gathering Guidance

April 22, 2020

The European Data Protection Board (EDPB) has published guidance for the use of location data and contacts tracing tools intended to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Politico: EU Left Behind as Capitals Plan Coronavirus Exit Strategies

April 15, 2020

Mirroring a U.S. debate over federalism relating to the COVID-19 exit strategy, at least a half dozen EU countries have started easing lockdowns, jumping ahead of the European Commission, which plans to unveil its own "roadmap" for lifting containment measures.
Wilson and Charlton: COVID-19 Pandemic Threatens EU Unity

April 01, 2020

Associated Press reporters Joseph Wilson and Angela Charlton explain how the COVID-19 pandemic could renew the divisive feelings between northern and southern EU member states that resulted from the 2008 recession and tough financial measures imposed as a condition to the provision of relief.
Yasko: Inclusion of "Authorized Representatives" from Russia-Occupied Eastern Ukraine Raises Legitimation Concerns

March 25, 2020

Writing in The Atlantic, Lisa Yasko explains why western countries should be concerned about the inclusion of "authorized representatives" from Russian-occupied eastern Ukraine as signatories to proposals accepted by Ukraine officials during a recent meeting of the Trilateral Contact Group, a platform for talks toward ending the conflict in eastern Ukraine that features representatives from Ukraine, Russia, and the OSCE.
Top Russian Court Signs Off on Likely Extension of Putin Term

March 18, 2020

The Constitutional Court of Russia has approved a legislative proposal that will enable President Vladimir Putin to seek office beyond the presently prescribed term limits, perhaps until 2036.
Standish: Putin Could Rule Until 2036

March 11, 2020

Writing in Foreign Policy, Reid Standish explains how a series of choreographed moves have set the stage for Vladimir Putin to potentially rule until at least 2036.
Politico: Human Rights and Greta Thunberg on Hungarian State Media Watch List

March 04, 2020

According to internal emails obtained by Politico, Hungarian state media authorities told staff they need permission to report on Greta Thunberg and EU politics, and banned coverage of reports from leading human rights organizations.
Kurtz: Arizona House Passes Campus Intellectual Diversity Bill

March 04, 2020

Writing in the National Review’s The Corner, Stanley Kurtz reports that the Arizona House is the first legislative body in the United States to pass a campus intellectual diversity bill, which instructs public universities in Arizona to stage debates, panel discussions, and individual lectures that explore America’s biggest public-policy controversies from divergent and opposing perspectives.
Taylor: Disconnect Between High-Tech Information Age-Friendly Voters and Ponderous Democratic Institutions Threaten Democracy

March 02, 2020

In the opinion of Politico's Paul Taylor, the instant gratification that connected consumers take for granted and the ponderous pace of local, national and European governance is frustrating younger generations of voters.