Democracy Impacts

EU Legislator Accuses Bloc of Operating “Authoritarian” Model

January 08, 2019

Czech Member of the European Parliament Dr. Jiří Payne argues that the EU operates an “authoritarian political system” in which member states must promote supranational objectives over the interests of their citizens and in which the bloc’s officials must adhere to the integrationist goals of the Union.
Austrian Official Declines Support for EU Army

January 04, 2019

Oliver Lane writes that Austrian Defense Minister Mario Kunasek has declined support for the development of a pan-EU army, though he approved of greater collaboration among EU members and institutions on defense and security policies.
UK Official Explains Skills-Based Post-Brexit Migration Plan

January 04, 2019

UK Minister of State for Immigration Caroline Nokes describes how the UK’s post-Brexit immigration plan will still permit the migration into Britain of EU citizens who are students or who have “skills and experience that will benefit the UK economy and our society.”
EC Accepts Compromise on Italian Budget Deficit

January 04, 2019

Bloomberg reports that, in December, the European Commission (EC) accepted a compromise with the Italian government in a conflict over the country’s plans to raise spending in violation of EU “excessive budget” rules, with the EC allowing Italy to carry a budget deficit just above the bloc’s limits.
EU Body Warns of Harms Caused by Cutting Migration

January 03, 2019

In December, the European Economic and Social Committee adopted an opinion finding that, due to an ageing European population and other factors, restricting migration into the EU and failing to integrate migrants into host societies have a negative impact on the bloc’s labor force and cause rises in racism and xenophobia.
EC Announces Measures Toward Workable No-Deal Brexit

January 03, 2019

The European Commission (EC) has announced a set of unilateral measures it will put through EU institutions that ease the impacts of a no-deal Brexit, including respecting UK citizens’ rights in the EU and permitting air travel from the UK, as long as the UK reciprocates with similar measures.
EU Leaders Agree to Create Common Eurozone Budget

January 03, 2019

The Associated Press reports that national EU leaders have agreed to set aside EU funds to establish a common eurozone budget to support eurozone members in the event of financial crises.
Manifesto Seeks New Assembly to Solve Europe’s Crises

December 18, 2018

A group of European economists, historians, and former politicians led by economist Thomas Piketty has published a “manifesto for the democratisation of Europe” calling for the establishment of a new “European assembly” that would direct funds drawn from higher taxes on companies and the wealthy toward progressive causes.
Author Points to Flaws in Call for EU Army

December 17, 2018

Author Richard Reinsch writes that French President Emmanuel Macron’s call for the establishment of a European army ignores that the basis of an effective military lies in the ability of a citizenry “to muster courage and resilience” on the foundation “of a shared membership of a national people,” which the supranational EU lacks.
France, Germany Propose EU “Buyout” Option from Migration Rules

December 17, 2018

EurActiv reports that the governments of France and Germany have proposed that the EU force member states to make a financial contribution to the EU budget or to aid programs in Africa if they refuse to permit the entry of migrants from outside the supranational bloc into their territory.