Democracy Impacts

EU Council Finalizes “Overhaul” of Energy Framework

May 29, 2019

The Council of the EU has announced that it has “completed the overhaul” of the EU’s energy policy framework by adopting the final measures of the bloc’s “Clean energy for all Europeans” package that includes providing for the interconnection of the EU’s electricity market in an effort to fulfill EU pledges under the Paris climate accord.
Polish PM’s EU Reform Plan Focuses on National Sovereignty

May 01, 2019

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki has published a five-point plan for EU reform that includes bloc-wide innovation and inequality strategies, combating protectionism, defense of borders, and handing great policymaking power to national parliaments.
EU Chief: UK Cannot Delay Brexit “Indefinitely”

April 30, 2019

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker has warned that, though they agreed to a “flexible” Brexit extension until October 31, EU member states will not “indefinitely” put off Britain’s exit from the bloc.
UK Lawmaker: PM Must Remain “Servant of the People” on Brexit

April 22, 2019

Former Brexit Secretary David Davis MP argues that the UK Prime Minister’s first responsibility is to the British people, who voted in favor of leaving the EU, and that she must therefore refuse to be bound by any parliamentary vote seeking to contradict the outcome of the Brexit referendum in 2016.
UK Chancellor: New Brexit Referendum Deserves Consideration

April 22, 2019

The Independent reports that UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond has argued the proposal for a second Brexit referendum that could override the outcome of the first “deserves to be considered along with the other proposals” the UK Parliament is debating.
EU Official Seeks Economic Transformation to Achieve Climate Plan

April 22, 2019

At a plenary debate on climate change in the European Parliament, European Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy Arias Cañete called for a “deep transformation of our model of economic development” to reach “net zero” European greenhouse gas emissions by the year 2050.
EU, UK Delay Brexit to October

April 15, 2019

EU leaders have agreed to delay the planned date of Brexit to the end of October this year, increasing the likelihood that the UK will participate in European Parliament elections nearly three years after British voters sanctioned the country’s exit from the supranational bloc.
UK Lawmakers Approve Brexit Delay, Reject New Referendum

March 14, 2019

In a series of votes today, the UK House of Commons approved a motion authorizing the Prime Minister to negotiate a delayed departure from the EU and rejected an amendment calling for a second popular referendum on Brexit.
Merkel Supports Proposal for EU Aircraft Carrier

March 14, 2019

Deutsche Welle reports that German Chancellor Angela Merkel has supported proposals by head of her governing CDU party Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer for a “common European aircraft carrier” and a permanent EU seat on the UN Security Council.
French Lawmakers Approve Franco-German Parliamentary Assembly

March 14, 2019

Deutsche Welle reports that the French National Assembly has approved legislation that would, pending approval by the German Bundestag, create a joint Franco-German parliamentary assembly that would meet twice a year to propose non-binding resolutions for consideration by French and German lawmakers.