Democracy Impacts

Poland’s PM Wants Accord with EU on Law and Judiciary

August 04, 2021

Poland’s Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, in an interview for the pro-government Republika TV, stated that his government appreciates EU membership and needs to smooth out relations with Brussels, adding he wants to reach “some kind of accord” with the European Union amid a standoff over the way Poland’s government has sought to discipline judges and other judicial changes.
Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine Unite on Pro-EU Path

July 21, 2021

At the annual Batumi Conference, on Georgia’s Black Sea coast, the presidents of Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine, standing with European Council President Charles Michel, jointly proclaimed their commitment to a European future, citing their common past and challenges to their sovereignty and security.
Internal Fissures Widen as EU Unveils Rule-of-Law Report

July 21, 2021

The European Commission presented its second-annual rule-of-law report which praised reform efforts in various member states including Malta, Slovakia, and Romania as well as expressed concerns about what the Commission considers democratic backsliding in Poland and Hungary.
Ekins: Why Britain Found the Exit

July 19, 2021

Richard Ekins reviews the book This Sovereign Isle, by Robert Tombs on lawliberty.org which explains how the UK entered the European project and why the British people eventually became disillusioned, leading to Brexit.
Moldova on Pro-EU Course after Elections

July 14, 2021

Voters have set Maldova on a pro-EU path for at least four years after a solid parliamentary majority to the center-right Party of Action and Solidarity, led by Moldovan President Maia Sandu, who ran on a platform of European integration, economic development and anti-corruption.
Polish Court Postpones Constitutional Case that May Deepen Conflict with EU

July 14, 2021

In a case that could deepen conflict with the European Union and jeopardize Poland’s membership, A top Polish court postponed a ruling on whether the constitution takes precedence over EU treaties, as Warsaw responds to what it claims is unjustified interference in its internal affairs by the European Commission.
EU Threatens Hungary with Sanction over Anti-LGBT Law

July 12, 2021

The EU has threatened to sanction Hungary over a law Hungary’s parliament approved last month, banning the portrayal of homosexuality or sex reassignment for those under the age of 18, which critics say discriminates against LGBT people.
EU Observer: The European Court of Justice vs German Constitutional Court

June 22, 2021

Jaap Hoeksma writing in The EU Observer explores the recent decision of the European Commission to start infringement proceedings against Germany and the larger question of who has the last say when it comes to European law.
EU May Implement New Rule-of-Law Mechanism before Securing Court Approval

June 02, 2021

The European Union’s executive body plans to implement its new rule-of-law sanctioning authority later this year, not waiting for a decision from the European Court of Justice as expected, leaving countries who don’t follow the new rules without funds from the new 1.2 trillion euro stimulus package.
Biedermann: The Decline of European Social Democracies

May 17, 2021

Ferry Biedermann writing in The New European analyses the gradual death of European social democracies despite the fact that left leaning parties have headed governments at most about one third of the time since 1945.