Democracy Impacts

UK Official Bolsters Brexit "No Deal" Threat

November 28, 2017

UK International Trade Secretary Liam Fox recently warned EU leaders in an interview that the British government is not "bluffing" on its willingness to leave the bloc without a trade or other deal if Brexit negotiations fail, asserting that trading with the EU and the rest of the world under World Trade Organization rules is not a "nightmare scenario."
Polish PM Criticizes Multi-Speed EU Proposals

November 27, 2017

An article in The Daily Express reports on the public opposition by Central and Eastern European leaders, including Polish Prime Minister Beata Szydio, to the idea of a "multi-speed EU," permitting some members to transfer their sovereignty to the supranational organization quicker than others, currently under consideration by EU and Western European officials.
EU Committee Calls for New Migrant Quota Scheme

November 27, 2017

EUobserver reports that, dismissing opposition by EU Council President Donald Tusk to future migrant quota schemes, the Civil Liberties Committee of the European Parliament adopted a report calling for new minimum migrant quotas for each EU member state and the withdrawal of development funding from countries that refused to comply with the policy.
EU Council Chief Talks down Future Migrant Quotas

November 27, 2017

According to EUobserver, the President of the Council of the EU Donald Tusk recently stated that he didn't "see any special future" for minimum quotas of migrants for each EU member state after pushback from the Central European Visegrad countries - Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, and Poland - to the European Commission's most recent migrant quota scheme.
Eastern EU Members Miss out on Agencies

November 22, 2017

A Politico article highlights how the selection of Amsterdam and Paris as the post-Brexit homes of the European Medicines Agency and the European Banking Authority, respectively, has signaled the growing divisions between Western Europe and Central and Eastern Europe regarding the future aims of the EU project.
Germany, Denmark Seek EU Extension on Border Controls

November 21, 2017

EUobserver reports that, due to "a considerable amount of illegal migration" and terrorism concerns, Germany and Denmark have notified the European Commission that they intend to extend border controls along their normally passport-free Schengen borders by six months.
UK Risks Support of Brexit Voters over ECJ Arrangements

November 20, 2017

British political commentator Mark Wallace explains his concerns about UK Prime Minister Theresa May's plans for a post-Brexit transition period during which Britain remains within the jurisdiction of the Court of Justice of the EU (ECJ), warning that pro-Brexit voters will bridle at a seeming "sleight of hand" keeping the UK under the rule of EU institutions.
EU Parliament Plans Pro-Europe Election Campaign

November 15, 2017

Politico has obtained a draft strategy note from leaders in the European Parliament calling for the body to use taxpayer funds to persuade voters who support the federalization of the EU to participate in European parliamentary elections, in an effort to drain support from euroskeptic parties.
EC Proposes Consolidated Economic Powers

November 01, 2017

EUobserver reports that the European Commission (EC) has outlined dozens of proposals to move toward a "more democratic Europe" that include eliminating the veto power EU member states currently have on certain legislation, including tax issues, and establishing a common eurozone budget and finance minister.
MEPs Warn Against UK Registration Requirements

October 25, 2017

The Guardian reports that, as part of their objection to any Brexit "transition" period in which the UK would no longer be subject to all EU laws, a cross-party group of Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) has warned Britain against any requirement that EU citizens register with the British Government after Brexit.