Democracy Impacts

Ireland Keeps EU Army Plan at Arm's Length

September 07, 2016

The Irish Independent reports that Irish government officials are distancing themselves from reported EU plans, backed by national leaders from Central and Eastern Europe, to create common EU military structures that would work independently of NATO.
Tyrie: EU's "Four Freedoms" Are Not Inviolable

September 02, 2016

British Member of Parliament Andrew Tyrie has published a paper discussing post-Brexit options for the UK and asserting that EU leaders need a "reality check" in acknowledging that the bloc's so-called "four freedoms" - of goods, services, people, and capital - "are not inviolable and inextricably interdependent."
Britain Seeks to Maintain EU Market Access

September 02, 2016

UK Brexit Minister David Davis has stated that the UK Government's goal in negotiations over the UK's departure from the EU is to retain tariff-free access to the bloc's single market while regaining authority to control migration from other EU member states.
ECJ President: Brexit Is Still "Speculative"

September 02, 2016

In a recent interview, President of the Court of Justice of the EU Koen Lenaerts hypothesized that, despite the outcome of Britain's referendum on leaving the EU, it is still not clear whether Brexit will occur, as "a lot still has to happen."
Britain Seeks Unique Post-Brexit Relationship with EU

September 01, 2016

UK Prime Minister Theresa May has confirmed that her government plans to negotiate a unique relationship with the EU following Brexit that will permit Britain to control immigration from the bloc while continuing its expansive trade of goods and services with EU member states, rather than an "off-the-shelf" model such as joining the European Economic Area.
EU Gun Proposals Meet Swiss Opposition

September 01, 2016

Business Insider reports that EU proposals to tighten regulation of gun ownership, which would apply throughout the passport-free Schengen Area in Europe, are facing strong opposition in Switzerland, which has widespread gun ownership and has traditionally allowed its military veterans to keep their assault rifles.
EU Seeks Reformed Tax Codes Through Apple Ruling

August 31, 2016

A Politico article describes how European Commissioner for competition, Margrethe Vestager, is using a demand for tech company Apple to pay billions of dollars to Ireland in owed taxes to move toward the centralization of EU tax policy without gaining the necessary unanimous consent of the bloc's member states.
Paper Calls for UK-EU "Continental Partnership"

August 31, 2016

A group of European academics, think tank leaders, and a politician has published a paper calling for the post-Brexit creation of a "Continental Partnership" that would retain the UK in a loose, EU-like structure of cooperation with EU member states that could also absorb Turkey, Ukraine, and other partner countries.
EU National Leaders Seek Common Army

August 31, 2016

Adding his voice to those of other Central and Eastern European national leaders calling for a bulwark against military threats by Russia and a force to control the bloc's migration crisis, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has called for the creation of a "common European army."
Labour Candidate Pledges Push for Second EU Vote

August 30, 2016

UK Member of Parliament and candidate for the leadership of the Labour Party, Owen Smith, has pledged to attempt to block the UK from sending formal notice of its intent to leave the EU until Prime Minister Theresa May promises to hold a second vote on the UK's relationship with the EU, or a general election, at the end of the Brexit negotiation process.