Democracy Impacts

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."
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.