Democracy Impacts

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.
Juncker Pledges "Hefty" Brexit Bill

March 02, 2017

EurActiv reports that, in a recent speech, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker promised that the EU will issue a "very hefty" bill to the UK during negotiations over the country's departure from the bloc to cover its outstanding financial commitments.
Commission Outlines EU "Pathways to Unity"

March 01, 2017

A European Commission white paper offering five alternative "pathways to unity" for the future of the EU presents in each pathway a combination of policy options including maintaining the EU status quo or federalizing power in EU institutions, but does not include the option of a broad return of sovereignty to national governments.
UK Lords Vote for Guarantee on Rights of EU Nationals

March 01, 2017

Deutsche Welle reports that the UK's unelected House of Lords has voted to amend the Prime Minister's bill on triggering the country's exit from the EU by including a provision guaranteeing the ability of EU nationals in the UK to retain their "EU-derived rights" following Brexit.
Austria Incentivizes Domestic Hiring

March 01, 2017

EurActiv reports that the Austrian government has approved rules providing financial incentives to Austrian companies that prioritize applicants who are currently in the country over applicants located in other EU member states for open positions, in a move that may test EU rules on free movement of labor.