Democracy Impacts

EU Watchdog Criticizes EC for Lack of Scrutiny on Barroso

April 24, 2018

The Daily Mail reports that the European Ombudsman Emily O'Reilly recently criticized European Commission (EC) officials for failing to scrutinize former EC President José Manuel Barroso's acceptance of a job at Goldman Sachs in 2016 that may involve lobbying EU officials, labeling the alleged oversight "maladministration."
EP Document Pairs Market Access with ECJ Authority

April 24, 2018

The European Parliament (EP) recently adopted a resolution asserting that any "deep and comprehensive" future trade deal between the EU and the UK must include "a binding interpretation role" for the Court of Justice of the EU (ECJ) and proposing an "association agreement" with the UK that could provide broad market access between the jurisdictions.
EU Softens Stance on Post-Brexit Fishing, Security Measures

April 24, 2018

The Sun reports that EU officials, in draft negotiating guidelines, recently softened their stance on access of EU fishing vessels to UK waters after Brexit and the ability of Britain to participate in European security measures during the post-Brexit transition period.
UK Body Forecasts Long-term Brexit Bill Payment

April 23, 2018

Politico reports that the UK Office for Budget Responsibility has determined that Britain's tentatively agreed budget payments to the EU following its departure from the bloc would take the form of £37.1 billion in payments over the next 45 years - with most payments coming due before the year 2028.
Salvini Predicts Triumph of Euroskeptics in EU Parliament

April 23, 2018

Politico reports that the head of Italy's Northern League Party Matteo Salvini, who may be a part of a coalition government following the recent Italian elections, has called for a roll-back in European federalism and predicted a crumbling of the current governing axis of center-right and socialist parties in the European Parliament in favor of a euroskeptic majority.
France to Launch Non-EU Military Crisis Force

April 20, 2018

In June, France will launch a deployable European military crisis force, outside of existing EU efforts for military integration, to bring together European countries with a military capacity and political desire to collaborate during emerging crises.
EU Body Approves Opinion on "Sustainable" Forestry

April 20, 2018

A report approved by the EU Committee of the Regions' Commission for Natural Resources signals how EU institutions have used their development of a common agricultural policy, trade policy, energy policy, and climate policy to assert authority over related matters, including forests, on which the report calls for action toward "socially and environmentally sustainable growth."
EU Council Seeks "Level Playing Field" with UK

April 19, 2018

Hugh Bennett of BrexitCentral examines a recent negotiating document released by the European Council that includes a call for "robust guarantees which ensure a level playing field" between the UK and EU after Brexit, a provision that would lock Britain into adopting standards dictated by the EU and potentially into EU court jurisdiction after it departs the bloc.
EC Appointment Provokes Controversy in Parliament

April 19, 2018

Politico reports that Members of the European Parliament from all sides blasted the swift appointment of German-Belgian civil servant Martin Selmayr to the position of Secretary-General of the European Commission (EC), criticizing the lack of transparency and deliberation in Selmayr's promotion to the important post.
UK Officials Seek Departure from EU Fisheries Policy

April 18, 2018

The Telegraph reports that Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson and UK Environment Secretary Michael Gove have issued a statement calling on the British Government to make clear that the country will be leaving the EU's common fisheries policy and become a "fully functioning coastal state" when it leaves the bloc.