Democracy Impacts

UK Plans Ratification of EU Patent System

December 07, 2016

The British Government has announced plans to ratify an EU scheme to set up a Unified Patent Court, with a division in London, to decide disputes over European inventions prior to the country's exit from the bloc.
Merkel Rejects UK Plan to Protect EU Expats

December 07, 2016

Politico reports that German Chancellor Angela Merkel has rejected an offer from UK Prime Minister Theresa May on a provisional deal to protect the rights of UK and EU expats living in each other's territory, reflecting the sense of EU leaders that the bloc will be able to draw more concessions out of UK negotiators after the Brexit process is triggered.
ECB Chief Opposes "Single Market" Flexibility

December 07, 2016

European Central Bank President Mario Draghi has urged EU leaders not to permit flexibility on access to the bloc's "single market," which includes rules requiring the free movement of people, in their negotiations with the UK over Brexit.
UK Prioritizes Access to EU Market in Brexit Talks

December 07, 2016

Bloomberg reports that British International Trade Minister Greg Hands has asserted the government will prioritize continued access to the EU "single market" for the country's main industries, including financial services, automotive, and aerospace, in upcoming talks over its future relationship with the EU.
UK Group Threatens Action over EEA Membership

December 07, 2016

Jim Waterson writes that campaign group British Influence is warning that it may resort to legal action against the UK Government if it seeks to take the country out of the European Economic Area (EEA), a "single market" zone that contains the EU, as part of its Brexit policy without following procedures outlined in the separate EEA agreement.
UK Bank Official Seeks Brexit Transition Deal

December 06, 2016

Reuters reports that Bank of England Governor Mark Carney is pushing for the UK Government to arrange a transition deal with the EU that would give British businesses continued access to the EU "single market," and keep them within the jurisdiction of the Court of Justice of the EU, for at least two years after the country exits the bloc.
Greece Pushes EU to Resettle Migrants

December 06, 2016

In the wake of a fatal fire in a migrant camp on the island of Lesbos, the Greek Government is calling on the European Commission to place pressure on EU member states to speed up their resettlement of migrants from Greek camps under the EU's Emergency Relocation Mechanism.
Article Highlights Populist Pressure on EU Agenda

December 06, 2016

The Economist has published an article outlining ways in which so-called "populist" politicians, who are skeptical of the benefits of international trade, immigration, and European integration, have decreased the importance of election victories by placing external pressure on EU leaders to pursue their agenda.
French Candidate Seeks Respect for Nations in Europe

December 05, 2016

EUobserver reports that, a week after calling for people to dispense with "the dream of a federal Europe," French presidential candidate François Fillon has outlined his vision for a "sovereign France in a Europe respectful of nations" in remarks upon winning the nomination of the country's Republicans party.
Norway Calls on UK to Maintain Close Ties with EU

December 02, 2016

Norwegian Trade and Industry Minister Monica Maeland has intervened in the debate over the UK's relationship with the EU following Brexit by arguing that it would be in Norway's interest for the UK to remain "closely tied" to the EU's "common market."