Democracy Impacts

Switzerland Open to UK Accession to EFTA

December 02, 2016

Swiss President Johann Schneider-Ammann has announced that Switzerland would agree to talks on the reentry by the UK into the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), a free trade zone comprising Switzerland, Iceland, Norway, and Liechtenstein that maintains access to the EU's "single market," upon the country's exit from the EU.
EU Parliament Pushes for "Common Defence Policy"

December 01, 2016

The European Parliament has passed a resolution calling on EU institutions to strengthen the role of the European Defence Agency and to establish an EU headquarters to implement a "common Union defence policy," through which the EU can act on its own where "NATO is not willing to take the lead."
Swiss Government Seeks Broad EU Treaty

November 30, 2016

EurActiv reports that the Swiss Government has published plans to propose a new treaty with the EU to the country's Parliament to replace a patchwork of deals on access to the bloc's "single market," as critics warn that such a new treaty would subject Switzerland to broader control by the Court of Justice of the EU.
EU Launches Actions Against States over Services

November 30, 2016

The European Commission has signaled its commitment to the completion of the "single market" in services, and the centralization of jurisdiction in EU institutions over the provision of services, by publicizing legal actions it is taking against nine EU member states regarding what it considers to be excessive obstacles to cross-border services.
German Minister Warns UK Against Tax Cuts

November 29, 2016

Deutsche Welle reports that German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble has warned UK Prime Minister Theresa May against pursuing a set of proposed corporate tax cuts to maintain economic competitiveness during and after the Brexit process, arguing that, while the UK is still a member of the EU, "they are bound by European law."
UK Politicians Push for "Clean" Break from EU

November 29, 2016

A group of UK politicians in the euroskeptic European Research Group have called on British Prime Minister Theresa May to leave the EU's "single market" and customs union as part of the country's Brexit policy, warning that failing to do so would leave the UK subject to the jurisdiction of the Court of Justice of the EU and other EU institutions.
UK May Delay Brexit to Maintain Security Ties

November 29, 2016

The Guardian reports that the British Government is considering striking an "interim" deal with the EU, likely taking negotiations over the country's exit from the bloc past the two-year period prescribed in EU law, in order to ensure continued security and foreign policy links with other EU member states.
EU Countries Approve Visa-Free Travel from Ukraine

November 28, 2016

Deutsche Welle reports that EU member states have approved visa-free travel for Ukrainians in the EU for trips of up to 90 days, sending the European Parliament a proposal that would allow such travel once the bloc bolsters a mechanism allowing the suspension of such waivers in case of emergencies.
Polish Official: UK Should Fund EU After Brexit

November 28, 2016

Polish Deputy Foreign Minister Konrad Szymanski has asserted that the UK should be forced to pay contributions to the EU budget after it exits the bloc until the year 2020 and has listed as a priority in Brexit negotiations maintaining freedom of movement to the UK in return for the country's access to the EU's "single market."
German Official Criticizes UK Resistance to EU Military Plans

November 28, 2016

German Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen has called on British officials not to block proposals from multiple EU member states to set up new military structures, which the UK has asserted are unnecessarily duplicative of those of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, prior to the country's exit from the bloc.