Democracy Impacts

Official Identifies Security, Globalization as EU Challenges

September 19, 2016

In a letter marking the lead-up to a September summit of EU member states in Bratislava, Slovakia, President of the EU Council Donald Tusk has called for cooperation on solving the bloc's migration crisis, combating international terrorism, and confronting challenges related to trade deals and globalization to hold the bloc together following the vote for Brexit.
EU Official Seeks "Redistributive" Focus in Integration

September 19, 2016

In recent remarks regarding the souring of opinion across the EU against the project of European integration, President of the European Central Bank Mario Draghi called for more attention to the "redistributive aspects of integration," or compensating people "left behind" by centralizing Europe, in order to ease dissatisfaction with EU institutions.
Governments Propose Centralized EU Defense Structure

September 16, 2016

EUobserver reports that officials from the French and German governments have released a paper for discussion at an EU summit in Bratislava, Slovakia, on expanding military defense cooperation across the bloc by, among other things, centralizing command of EU military missions in a joint EU headquarters.
UK Waters Down Brexit-Focused Tax Cut Plans

September 15, 2016

Following warnings from European colleagues that large corporate tax cuts would hinder Brexit negotiations, UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond has downgraded plans to reduce businesses taxes to boost economic activity with an eye to post-Brexit economic uncertainty.
UK Labour Candidate Campaigns on Pro-EU Platform

September 15, 2016

The BBC reports that candidate for the leadership of the UK Labour Party Owen Smith has asserted that, if he becomes Prime Minister after Britain has left the EU, he would consider reapplying for membership in the bloc.
UK Politicians Call for Quick Brexit Trigger

September 15, 2016

Voice of America reports that leading proponents of the UK leaving the EU have called on British Prime Minister Theresa May to trigger negotiations over Brexit before the end of the year, arguing that waiting longer could lead to negotiators disavowing the will of voters who wished to see a hard break with the bloc.
Brexit Vote Grants Impetus to EU Defense Integration

September 14, 2016

Jonathan Marcus writes that EU leaders are using the UK vote to leave the bloc as an opportunity to work toward long-held plans, often stifled by Britain, to create common European defense structures supplementing their involvement in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
Committee: UK Should Maintain EU Climate Targets

September 14, 2016

In spite of its prediction that the UK will not achieve EU-imposed targets for the country's shift to renewable energy sources by the year 2020, the UK Parliament's Energy and Climate Change Committee has called on the Government to maintain these targets even after it leaves the bloc.
Lawsuit Targets Juncker's Refusal to Negotiate Brexit

September 14, 2016

The Guardian reports that a group called Fair Deal for Expats has filed a complaint at the Court of Justice of the EU arguing that European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker's "presidential order" seeking to prevent officials from negotiating with the UK prior to the country's filing formal notice of "Brexit" is a fabricated device that has no force of law.
Official Presents Plan for Ramped-up EU "Battlegroups"

September 14, 2016

The Guardian reports that the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini has issued a policy document calling for increased use of Brussels as headquarters for European “battlegroups” that could intervene in crises and that would eventually develop into a "common European defence structure."