Democracy Impacts

UK Lawmaker Warns of Entanglement in EU Defense Policy

November 30, 2018

British Member of Parliament Andrea Jenkyns explains that the UK’s involvement in EU defense structures following Brexit comes at the cost of required alignment with EU defense policy and application of EU rules, potentially hastening the UK’s integration into the EU in the realm of defense.
Hungarian, Italian Leaders Launch Platform Against Illegal Migration

November 29, 2018

EurActiv reports that talks between Prime Minister of Hungary Viktor Orbán and the Interior Minister of Italy Matteo Salvini resulted in the launch of a political manifesto in the lead-up to the 2019 European Parliament elections calling for stronger EU policies on illegal migration.
Varoufakis: Harsh EU Bailout Terms Continue to Harm Greece

November 29, 2018

Former Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis writes that his country remains in a “debtor’s prison” due to continued public-spending limits imposed by the EU as a condition of bailing out the Greek central bank following the financial crisis of 2009.
EU Official Eyes Extending Brexit Transition to 2022

November 20, 2018

The Guardian reports that, as British politicians vigorously debate a draft deal for the UK’s post-Brexit relationship with the EU, the European Commission’s chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier has offered to push to delay Britain’s exit from EU regulations and budget payments until over six years after the UK vote to leave the bloc.
Merkel, Macron Agree on Need for European Army

November 14, 2018

The Guardian reports that, in a speech to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, German Chancellor Angela Merkel has joined French President Emmanuel Macron in calling for the future creation of a "real, true European army."
EC Considers Majority Voting for EU Tax Policy

October 31, 2018

EUobserver reports that the European Commission (EC) has included in its 2019 work program the consideration of areas in which the EU could move away from the requirement of unanimous approval of tax rules in favor of “more efficient lawmaking” on supranational tax policies.
EU Official Fears “Violent Reaction” to Acceptance of Italian Budget

October 17, 2018

Politico reports that European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker warned in a recent interview that EU officials could reject the proposed budget of Italy, which violates the deficit limit imposed under eurozone rules, because acceptance of the budget might provoke a “violent reaction” in other eurozone countries.
EU Budget Suggests Rising Brexit "Divorce" Bill

October 10, 2018

Citing rising EU spending plans and pension costs over the last year and the acknowledgment by EU auditors that annual budget fees for members are “moveable,” an article in The Guardian raises the likelihood that the Brexit “divorce” bill agreed by the EU and UK will escalate in the coming years.
UK Official Pledges End to EU Free-Movement Rules

October 03, 2018

The Daily Mail reports that UK Home Secretary Sajid Javid has promised that post-Brexit Britain will replace the EU principles of free movement, allowing all citizens of EU member states to immigrate to the UK, with laws focusing on attracting high-skilled migrants from across the globe to the country.
EC Warns Against National-Level Brexit Talks

September 05, 2018

Politico reports that, after the European Commission’s (EC) chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier rejected the UK government’s latest proposal on post-Brexit relations, the EC has called on national officials not to engage in bilateral talks on “mini deals” with the UK as British officials seek leverage in averting a “no-deal” Brexit.