Democracy Impacts

British PM Sets Timeline for Brexit Trigger

October 12, 2016

In a recent speech, UK Prime Minister Theresa May announced that she would begin the process of making Britain a "fully independent, sovereign country" by notifying the EU by the end of March 2017 that the UK would be exiting the bloc and by repealing the 1972 Act that effectively enmeshes EU legislation and regulations with British law.
UK Ex-Ministers Call for Quick Brexit Process

October 12, 2016

A "Brexit Blueprint" from a group of former UK Government Ministers led by John Redwood MP calls on Prime Minister Theresa May to hasten the process of exiting the EU by permitting the country to fall back on World Trade Organization rules if the EU refuses the UK's offer of continuing favorable trade terms.
German Minister Seeks UK Concession on EU Defense

October 11, 2016

German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen has called on UK leaders to withdraw opposition to EU plans for an integrated military policy, which Britain has warned are unnecessary and will only lead to a decrease in important financial support for the US-led North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
Official: UK Cannot Halt Pre-Brexit EU Integration

October 11, 2016

Calling the EU "a community with a shared destiny" and "a model of society," European Parliament President Martin Schulz has asserted that, prior to Brexit, the UK will not have the authority to stop plans for the integration of EU military policy and that Britain will not retain access to the bloc's single market without accepting the free movement of people.
EU Parliament Approves UN Climate Deal Ratification

October 05, 2016

The European Parliament has voted to approve the ratification, on behalf of all EU member states, of the UN climate deal agreed in Paris last year, as EU leaders trumpet a set of supranational measures implementing the agreement's provisions on limiting greenhouse gas emissions.
EU Committee Calls for "Comprehensive" Nuclear Power Plan

October 05, 2016

The European Economic and Social Committee has criticized an energy proposal from the European Commission for failing to provide a "clear and comprehensive approach" to nuclear power in the EU that addresses issues like global warming and "public acceptability."
Italy Promotes Ambitious EU Army Plans

September 28, 2016

EUobserver reports that, in an initiative that goes beyond current German and French proposals to strengthen EU defense cooperation, a paper from the Italian government calls for the creation of a "joint permanent European Multinational Force" for use in overseas missions.
Hungary Mulls Push for EU Treaty Change on Migration

September 23, 2016

As the Hungarian government faces pressure to take back asylum seekers who passed through the country on their way to other EU destinations, Hungarian daily Nepszabadsag reports that the government is considering pushing for treaty changes to exempt national migration rules from common EU policies after the country's referendum on EU migration rules in October.
Switzerland Advances Compromise Law on EU Migration

September 22, 2016

Reuters reports that the Swiss Parliament has advanced legislation that would seek to pacify Swiss citizens who voted in a 2014 referendum to impose quotas on migrants from EU countries by requiring companies to first consider locals for job openings before looking outside the country.
Bosnia and Herzegovina Moves Toward EU Membership

September 21, 2016

Reuters reports that the Council of the EU has accepted the application of Bosnia and Herzegovina for EU membership and has called on the European Commission to assess the readiness of the country to join the bloc.