Democracy Impacts

UK’s May Promises End to Free Movement by 2019

August 02, 2017

Politico reports that, amid mixed messages from her cabinet in recent weeks, UK Prime Minister Theresa May’s official spokesperson stated that "free movement" of EU citizens to Britain will end in March 2019, once the country officially exits the EU.
UK Considers New Court for Post-Brexit EU Citizen Cases

August 02, 2017

Bloomberg reports that UK officials participating in Brexit negotiations are considering the proposal of a new, independent court to adjudicate cases involving the rights of EU citizens in the UK after Britain leaves the bloc, as an alternative to the EU’s proposal of maintaining its Court of Justice's jurisdiction over such citizens.
Dutch Senate Backs Deal Rejected in 2016 Vote

August 02, 2017

Politico reports that, despite the rejection of the deal by voters in the Netherlands in a referendum held last year, the Dutch Senate supported in May the adoption of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement, which bolsters trade ties between the supranational bloc and the Eastern European country.
EU Officials Signal Focus on Defense Union

August 02, 2017

Signaling that it will maintain its push to consolidate policy-making on defense cooperation in EU institutions, in May, the European Commission held an "orientation debate" on the future of European defense, where EU officials called for greater strides toward the funding of and collaboration on a European "Security and Defence Union."
EU Seeks Post-Brexit Family Resettlement Rights in UK

August 02, 2017

The Telegraph reports that, in a pair of papers on the direction of Brexit negotiations with the UK, EU officials push for the UK to recognize the right of EU citizens in Britain to resettle their "current and future family members" in the country after Brexit and to pay for the pensions of employees of EU institutions.
Complainants Drop Legal Case on Brexit "Escape Clause"

August 02, 2017

Bloomberg reports that a group of lawyers and politicians has dropped a lawsuit they filed in Ireland whose ultimate goal was a declaration by the Court of Justice of the EU that the UK could revoke its decision to trigger its departure from the bloc.
Romanian Official Criticizes Plans for "Multi-speed" EU

August 02, 2017

In an interview with Reuters, Romanian Foreign Minister Teodor Melescanu opposed the creation of a "multi-speed EU" in which Western European countries could transfer their sovereignty to supranational institutions at a quicker rate than other EU members and said there is no need for new mechanisms to monitor the rule of law situation in Poland and Hungary.
EU Launches "Low-Ambition" Military HQ

August 01, 2017

The Daily Telegraph reports that British officials are branding a much-anticipated EU Military Planning and Conduct Capability headquarters launched in May a bare "call centre" comprising fewer than 10 people who all already have existing jobs and cannot command military operations.
Negotiator: UK Is Prepared for "No Deal" Brexit Scenario

August 01, 2017

Reuters reports that, as the June general election in the UK approached, the country's Brexit Secretary David Davis made clear in an interview that Britain is prepared to leave the EU without a deal rather than accept a "bad deal" continuing to tie the country to the bloc.
British PM: Offset Brexit Bill with EU Debts

August 01, 2017

The Sunday Telegraph reports that, in the lead-up to the recent UK general election, Prime Minister Theresa May asserted that any "divorce" payment demanded by EU officials in Brexit negotiations must yield to the UK's own financial "rights," including the country's share in the European Investment Bank and other projects, upon its departure from the bloc.