Democracy Impacts

EU Paper Sets Course for Continuing Integration

March 15, 2017

An article on EurActiv highlights how a recent white paper from the European Commission outlining various paths forward for the EU appears to favor a "multi-speed" proposal allowing a core of members to quickly transfer their sovereignty to EU institutions and incorporates no scenario in which powers are comprehensively returned to the member states.
UK Officials Debate Pre-Brexit Migration Rights

March 14, 2017

The Guardian reports that British officials are debating options regarding how and when to alter the rights of citizens of EU countries to migrate to the UK prior to Brexit, including through a five-year visa for EU citizens coming to work in certain sectors of the UK economy.
EU Trade Is Priority for UK Companies

March 14, 2017

The British Chambers of Commerce has published a report entitled Business Brexit Priorities in which it relays calls from UK businesses for the British Government to seek in its Brexit negotiations to maintain a close trading relationship with the EU and to avoid "bureaucratic" barriers to the migration of EU workers.
National Legislators Seek Federal Europe

March 14, 2017

In preparation for an upcoming parliamentary meeting in Rome, national legislators from France, Italy, Germany, and Luxembourg have authored a letter calling for the summit, in the aftermath of the Brexit vote, to advance Europe toward "closer political integration – the Federal Union of States with broad powers."
UK Officials Deny Dramatic Post-Brexit Migration Change

March 13, 2017

The Guardian reports that UK Home Secretary Amber Rudd and Brexit Secretary David Davis have made assurances that their government will not seek a "sudden" decrease in migration to the Britain when the country leaves the EU.
Campaign Report Challenges Brexit Transition Deal

March 13, 2017

A report from the campaign group Change Britain highlights concerns of euroskeptics in the UK over proposals to strike a transitional arrangement with the EU for several years prior to Brexit, arguing that preserving free movement with the EU under such an arrangement would be contrary to citizens' desire to return border control authority to the UK.
Dutch Government Will Reexamine Relationship with Euro

March 13, 2017

The Telegraph reports that the Dutch Parliament has unanimously voted to instruct the Council of State, the government's legal adviser, to pursue an inquiry into the country's future relationship with the euro, including the possibility of exiting the common currency, over concerns that the European Central Bank's monetary policies hurt Dutch pensioners.
EU Ramps up Joint Military Policy

March 08, 2017

Deutsche Welle reports that the EU Foreign Affairs Council has approved the creation of a Military Planning Conduct and Capability facility through which EU member states will cooperate to conduct military training missions in Africa.
Austrian Official Estimates Amount of "Brexit Bill"

March 02, 2017

In an interview with Bloomberg, Austrian Chancellor Christian Kern said the European Commission had calculated Britain's "bill" to settle its financial commitments upon exiting the EU would be around 60 billion euros and warned the UK against setting low corporate tax rates to attract business following Brexit.
EU Threatens Italy on Debt Levels

March 02, 2017

AP reports that the European Commission has warned the Italian government it is subject to EU sanctions for excessive debt levels if it fails to "credibly" take action on reducing its debt by the end of April.