Democracy Impacts

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.
Brexit Provokes Worries on EU Free Trade, Regulation

December 05, 2017

An article in The Economist raises concerns the Britain's departure from the EU will mean the loss of a hard-line voice on free trade and the perils of over-regulation from the supranational bloc but predicts that Brexit may ultimately spur on the idea of a more "flexible" Europe that "accommodates a variety of preferences" from different tiers of membership.
Pro-EU Observers Duel over Catalonia Conflict

December 04, 2017

Dueling commentary in Politico demonstrates the growing rift among pro-EU civil society groups over how to resolve the conflict over Catalonian independence, with some calling for the EU to take a more active stance as mediator and offer Catalonia a more powerful role in the EU and others pushing for the EU to treat the conflict as purely an internal matter for Spain to resolve.
Multi-Speed EU Proposal Gains Civil Society Support

December 04, 2017

Charles Grant of the Centre for European Reform calls on European leaders to heed the calls from French President Emmanuel Macron for a "two-speed" EU that "leaves reluctant countries behind and allows others to move ahead on key policies," as this model would be a more-attractive system for potential future members.
Poland Expresses Concerns on EU Emissions Reforms

December 01, 2017

Bloomberg reports that Polish officials have expressed concerns that the EU's planned overhaul of its Emissions Trading System, designed to reduce the reliance of member states on fossil fuels and move them toward renewable energy, will make aid unavailable to coal-fired power plants in the country.