Democracy Impacts

Lawyers Propose Post-Brexit UK Treaties Court

October 17, 2017

The Daily Mail reports that a campaign group of UK lawyers has proposed the creation of an International Treaties Court in Britain whose aim would be to reconcile the UK's interpretation of post-Brexit treaties with the EU with that of the Court of Justice of the EU (ECJ), to be guided by an ad hoc arbitration body in the case of disputes between the jurisdictions.
Goodman: Prepare for "No Deal" Brexit Scenario

October 16, 2017

Commentator Paul Goodman writes that UK Prime Minister Theresa May must make it clear to EU officials that the British Government is ready to walk away from Brexit negotiations if they do not offer the UK a beneficial future relationship with the bloc, and that British officials must prepare for such a "no deal" scenario in the event it occurs as early as 2019.
UK Eyes ECJ Jurisdiction During Transition

October 11, 2017

Politico reports that UK Prime Minister Theresa May has conceded that any period of transition in Britain's relationship with the EU after the date of Brexit could involve the continued jurisdiction of the Court of Justice of the EU (ECJ) over the UK and the acceptance of some new EU regulations over which the British people would not have a say.
UK Seeks Post-Brexit Security Treaty with EU

October 06, 2017

The UK government recently published a position paper calling for the negotiation of a new treaty with the EU to guarantee continued security cooperation with members of the bloc after Brexit.
EU Sides with Spain in Catalonia Dispute

October 04, 2017

The New York Times reports that EU institutions have continued to intervene in the dispute between Spanish and Catalonian officials over the validity of the region's recent independence referendum, supporting Spain's legal position despite widespread violence by government authorities against those attempting to vote.
French President Seeks Broad Power Transfer to EU

September 27, 2017

In a speech at the Sorbonne, French President Emmanuel Macron called for "the rebuilding of a Europe that is sovereign, united and democratic" through the centralization of power over financial, defense, migration, and other policies at the EU level.
Merkel Seeks to Link EU Funding with Refugee Policy

September 22, 2017

In a recent interview, German Chancellor Angela Merkel called for the EU to take into account countries' lack of cooperation with the EU's refugee resettlement scheme for asylum seekers from the Middle East and North Africa in future negotiations over EU development funding.
Schengen Members Seek Extension of Border Controls

September 22, 2017

The Guardian reports that the governments of France, Germany, Austria, Denmark, and Norway have called on the European Commission to propose legislation doubling from two years to four years the time in which countries in the passport-free Schengen travel area facing "exceptional circumstances" such as terror threats can impose controls on their borders.
Ireland Resists EU Tax Centralization Proposal

September 22, 2017

Reuters reports that Irish Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe has objected to a proposal announced by European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker in his recent "State of the Union" speech to consolidate EU authority over tax policy by permitting a "qualified majority" of EU members to adopt bloc-wide tax measures.
NGO Warns that Brexit May Diminish Rights

September 21, 2017

Benjamin Ward of Human Rights Watch has expressed concern that UK citizens’ rights may not be protected if the UK Parliament follows through with its current proposal not to incorporate the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights in domestic law after Brexit.