Democracy Impacts

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.
NGO Leader Pushes for Establishment of European Republic

February 13, 2018

Ulrike Guérot of the European Democracy Lab writes in favor of the establishment of a "European republic" that would rest on the concept of a clear separation of powers among supranational bodies and a bicameral Parliament invested with more power to enact the will of a single electorate of EU citizens.
EU Body Opposes Shift in Authority over Regional Funding

February 08, 2018

The European Committee of the Regions is challenging a proposal by the European Commission to give national governments more authority over EU funds used for structural development in the member states, arguing that taking away decisions by regions and municipalities over so-called "cohesion funds" would violate the EU principle of subsidiarity.
Economist Calls on UK to Exit EU Customs Union, Internal Market

February 08, 2018

Economist Dr. Gerard Lyons writes on the benefits of the UK's departure from the EU's internal market and customs union to restore British sovereignty over business regulation and open the country's borders to trade in goods and services from around the world after Brexit.
EU Document Denies UK Sovereign Status During Transition

February 07, 2018

Politico reports that negotiating text on a post-Brexit transition period between the UK and the EU drafted by the European Commission would require the UK to abide by all EU rules, deny the right of the UK to diverge from EU positions at international bodies, and refuse to recognize the UK Parliament as a "national parliament" during the period.
UK May Face Dozens of New EU Laws During Brexit Transition

February 07, 2018

The Independent reports that, according to a document leaked from the UK government, at least 37 new EU laws could enter into force during the post-Brexit transition period during which Britain would continue to abide by EU regulations, including new rules on waste disposal, energy efficiency, and the location of euro clearing houses.
May Rejects EU Calls for Post-Brexit Free Movement

February 06, 2018

The Telegraph reports that UK Prime Minister Theresa May has pledged to end immediately upon Britain's exit from the EU the applicability of the bloc's rules requiring freedom of movement by EU citizens into the UK, setting up a potential clash between the EU and UK on the enforcement of such rules during the planned post-Brexit "transition" period.