Democracy Impacts

Countries Weigh Participation in EU Financial Tax

March 31, 2017

Bloomberg reports that the proposal for an EU financial transactions tax, which requires the agreement of nine countries to be implemented under the bloc's "enhanced cooperation" procedure, is facing its potential demise as Belgium, Slovenia, and Slovakia consult their parliaments on continued participation in the legislation.
EU Committee Seeks Common Health Policy

March 30, 2017

EurActiv reports that the EU Committee of the Regions has called on EU institutions to address a "disparity" in the quality of national health systems by working toward the harmonization, and centralization, of European health policy in Brussels.
Poland Threatens Action over EU "Multi-Speed" Policy

March 30, 2017

Bloomberg reports that, prior to the recent EU summit celebrating the 60th anniversary of the bloc in Rome, Prime Minister of Poland Beata Szydlo pledged not to sign any multilateral document committing the EU to a "multi-speed" model permitting part of the bloc to federalize at a faster rate than others.
Juncker Confirms Budget Demand for Brexit Talks

March 30, 2017

In a recent interview, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker confirmed that EU negotiators will demand in talks over Brexit that the UK pay approximately $62 billion toward what EU leaders say are its budget obligations to the bloc and indicated that a priority in the negotiations will be to incentivize other EU members not to leave.
UK Committee: Maintain Post-Brexit EU Legal Ties

March 30, 2017

The UK House of Commons Justice Committee has published a report calling on the country's negotiators to prioritize in Brexit talks maintaining a close civil and criminal legal relationship with the EU, including by retaining access to the European Arrest Warrant and preserving cross-border practice rights for lawyers.
Essay Favors “Grand Bargain” over “Multi-Speed” EU

March 30, 2017

Transatlantic Academy Fellow Hans Kundnani has warned in a recent essay of the dangers to the EU of pursuing a “multi-speed” approach to the federalization of the bloc, arguing that the idea of a united Europe has always necessitated a “grand bargain” where both rewards and risks are pooled.
UK Triggers Article 50 to Begin EU Exit

March 29, 2017

The UK initiated the process of leaving the EU through a letter delivered by British Permanent Representative to the EU Sir Tim Barrow notifying President of the European Council Donald Tusk of the country’s intention to leave the bloc within two years and to restore the country's "national self-determination."
UK Signals Denial of EU Debt Obligations

March 28, 2017

Politico reports that UK Brexit minister David Jones has indicated the British Government will likely use as a "starting point" for its Brexit negotiations over budget obligations the EU claims the country owes to the bloc a House of Lords report disputing the responsibility of the UK for these liabilities.
Czech Official: Free Movement May Break up EU

March 28, 2017

Reuters reports that Czech Foreign Minister Lubomir Zaoralek has asserted that the principle of unbridled free movement of workers across the EU is not acceptable to the people of Western and Central Europe and could be responsible for the future break-up of the bloc.
Poland Vows to Fight Plans for "Multi-speed" Europe

March 27, 2017

Reuters reports that the leader of the governing Law and Justice Party of Poland, Jaroslaw Kaczynski, has announced his party's intention to oppose any plans for a "multi-speed" EU in which member states can choose to integrate faster in select areas, as he expressed fears that such a system would make Poland an "inferior" member or push it out of the bloc altogether.