Democracy Impacts

WTO Chief: "No Deal" Brexit Would Be "Manageable"

December 19, 2017

In November remarks in Geneva, the Director General of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Roberto Azevedo predicted that a scenario in which the UK failed to reach a deal with the EU on free trade after Brexit and was required to operate under WTO rules in its trade with the bloc was "perfectly manageable."
EC Pushes for Common Education Policies

December 19, 2017

In November, the European Commission (EC) released a document pushing for the development by the year 2025 of a European Education Area that would, among other things, provide for recommendations from supranational institutions on curricula content in EU member states.
Lawyer: The City Should Not Fear a "No-Deal" Brexit

December 18, 2017

British lawyer Barnabas Reynolds of Shearman & Sterling explains why the "cliff-edge" no-deal-Brexit scenario dreaded by many London financial firms would in fact offer few obstacles to continuing to carry out transactions smoothly both with EU-based and non-EU-based customers.
Barnier: EU-UK Trade Deal Depends on Regulatory Compliance

December 15, 2017

In a recent speech in Brussels, the EU's chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier said Britain's willingness to comply with EU regulations in such areas as "fair competition, state aid, tax dumping, food safety, social and environmental standards" would be "decisive" in the country's ability to obtain a free trade deal with the bloc after Brexit.
EU Parliament Votes to Consider Polish Sanctions

December 15, 2017

The New York Times reports that the European Parliament voted in November to invoke a portion of the EU treaties that could trigger sanctions against Poland, such as the loss of its EU voting rights, over legislative measures the country has undertaken asserting more political influence over the judiciary.
EU Ministers Sign Pact on Defense Cooperation

December 07, 2017

Reuters reports that, in November, foreign and defense ministers from 23 EU member states signed a pact for an initiative called Permanent Structured Cooperation that provides for collaboration on joint EU military projects, sets up a common EU fund for the purchase and development of weapons, and requires national reports on military preparedness.
UK Official Plans Post-Brexit Environment Watchdog

December 07, 2017

The BBC reports that UK Environment Secretary Michael Gove has announced his department is planning to create a new, independent environment watchdog to ensure that Britain continues to uphold EU environmental standards after Brexit.
Dutch PM Opposes Calls for "Federal Europe"

December 06, 2017

In a recent speech, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte warned that a "federal Europe" and "a politics based on symbolism" are not the answers to the problems that plague the EU, calling for a cautious approach to EU power that is not based on "integration for integration's sake."
EU Extends Reach of Gas Pipeline Regulation

December 05, 2017

The European Commission recently issued a proposal to extend the EU Gas Directive to ensure that all major pipelines entering EU territory will be subject to supranational rules as part of the bloc's efforts to formulate common rules on energy across Europe.
UK Develops Special Status for EU Citizens After Brexit

December 05, 2017

The British Government has produced a "technical note" indicating that EU citizens in the UK and their families will be required after Brexit to submit to a criminal background check and apply for a special status that will entitle them to "unique" rights to which UK citizens will no longer have access.