Democracy Impacts

EC Seeks Debate on Consolidation of EU Authority

March 05, 2018

In preparation for an informal leaders' meeting at the Council of the EU in February, the European Commission (EC) called for debate on the consolidation of authority at the top of the EU institutions by reducing the number of European Commissioners and by permitting one person to lead both the EC and the EU Council.
Redwood: Brexit Transition Period Is Not Essential

March 05, 2018

John Redwood MP writes that the UK should only agree to a post-Brexit period during which it continues to apply EU rules, makes payments toward the EU budget, and accepts the jurisdiction of the Court of Justice of the EU if EU negotiators agree to work toward a free-trade deal that will enter into force directly after such an "implementation" period.
EU Official Touts "Ambitious" Defense Collaboration

March 05, 2018

In a speech in Rome, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini characterized the recent creation of a mechanism for defense collaboration among EU member states as "more ambitious than a European army," pointing to the broad reach of the cooperation in various economic sectors and its inclusion of a diplomatic focus.
UK Seeks Flexible End Date to Brexit Transition

February 21, 2018

Politico reports that, according to a document prepared by the British government, UK officials are seeking a flexible end date for a post-Brexit transition period, during which the UK remains subject to EU rules, based on how long it takes to "prepare and implement the new processes and systems" underlying the future UK-EU relationship.
EC Plans for Northern Ireland to Remain in Customs Union

February 15, 2018

Politico reports that the European Commission's chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier has ordered the preparation of a draft legal text providing that Northern Ireland, which is part of the UK, will remain in the EU customs union after Brexit, in the absence of "clarity" from the British government on the issue of the region's status.
EU Officials Plan for Lengthy Brexit Transition

February 15, 2018

Reuters reports that EU officials involved in negotiations over the UK's departure from the bloc believe that a planned transition period after Brexit during which Britain would remain subject to EU rules and potentially to judgments of the Court of Justice of the EU is likely to last significantly longer than the two years proposed by UK leaders.
British PM Seeks Regulatory Divergence After Brexit Transition

February 15, 2018

Politico reports that, according to officials in the UK government, British Prime Minister Theresa May is formulating a plan for the immediate divergence of the UK from EU rules and policies after a proposed post-Brexit transition period in the areas of agricultural subsidies, financial services, and trade policy.
EU Watchdog Criticizes Council's Lack of Transparency

February 14, 2018

European Ombudsman Emily O’Reilly has issued a report calling for increased transparency in the Council of the EU's decision-making on legislative proposals, finding that the current "behind-closed-doors" process "constitutes maladministration" and "undermines citizens’ right to hold their elected representatives to account."
Howe Warns of High Costs of Brexit Transition

February 14, 2018

British barrister Martin Howe QC warns that a post-Brexit transition period during which the UK plans to continue to accept EU regulations could lead to the country becoming a "vassal state" with no say over the development of the rules it accepts on tariffs and industry, and with no powers to formulate an independent trade policy.
EP Rejects Plan for "Pan-European" Members

February 13, 2018

Politico reports that, in a vote to reduce its size following the departure of the UK from the EU, the European Parliament (EP) rejected a proposal to reserve some of the UK's seats for their potential reallocation to "pan-European" Members of the EP whose constituency would span the entire EU.