Democracy Impacts

EU Files Financial Reporting Complaint Against Ireland

July 18, 2017

The European Commission recently announced that it is taking Ireland to the Court of Justice of the EU for failing to transpose provisions of the EU's Accounting Directive, creating EU-wide standards on information businesses must disclose in their annual financial statements, into the country's national law.
EU Demands Austria Reform Minimum Wage Laws

July 18, 2017

Highlighting the difficulties faced by EU member states in applying social legislation to foreign companies and workers operating in their territories under "internal market" rules, the European Commission has opened legal proceedings against Austria for applying its minimum wage rules to international road transport services.
EU Takes Romania to Court over Waste Management

July 18, 2017

The European Commission has announced that it is filing a complaint against Romania with the Court of Justice of the EU for the country's failure to adopt a "national waste management plan and waste prevention programme" in line with the bloc's "circular economy" and environmental agenda.
Lawyer: Post-Brexit Transition Deal Could Curtail UK Opportunities

July 18, 2017

Shanker A. Singham of the Legatum Institute Special Trade Commission writes that, rather than enter a transitional post-Brexit trade deal in which the EU retains authority over UK trade policy, Britain should leave the EU without any deal in order to maximize its global trade and investment opportunities.
Merkel Expresses Support for EU Budget, Finance Minister

July 18, 2017

After meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel indicated that she is open to President Macron’s proposal to establish an EU budget and finance minister that would significantly centralize financial policy-making in the eurozone.
UK Announces Plans to Pay Brexit "Settlement" to EU

July 18, 2017

The UK Secretary for Brexit David Davis has announced that the British Government intends to pay some “financial settlement” to the EU upon leaving the bloc based on the country's "rights and obligations as a departing member state."
EU Committee Seeks Strengthening of Biodiversity Action

July 17, 2017

The European Committee of the Regions recently touted its role in supporting the development by the European Commission of an "action plan" to bolster its Birds and Habitats Directives in an effort toward meeting the EU's biodiversity targets for the year 2020.
EU Explores Future Role in Social Policy

July 17, 2017

Highlighting its growing role as a policy-setter in the realm of labor rights and social protection policy, the European Commission recently published a "reflection paper" on the "social dimension of Europe" to set the stage for discussion on how the EU can best contribute to the development of the best social policy within the bloc.
EU Council Agrees to Strengthened Gun Restrictions

July 14, 2017

In an effort to align EU firearms policy with a relevant UN Protocol, the Council of the EU recently adopted a directive bolstering restrictions on the ownership of certain types of guns and placing new duties on gun dealers to register all firearms-related transactions.
Reports Evaluate National Implementation of EU Law

July 14, 2017

In two recently released reports, the European Commission warned of increases in the incorrect application of EU legislation by national governments and ranked countries regarding their compliance with and implementation of "single market" rules.