Democracy Impacts

"Core" EU National Ministers Recommit to Integration

February 12, 2016

Meeting in Rome, the foreign ministers of the six founding countries of the EU discussed setting up an informal group of "core" states committed to driving forward integration and devoted to "ever closer union" within the bloc.
O'Sullivan: Opponents of "Brexit" Ignore EU Failings

February 10, 2016

John O'Sullivan writes in National Review that British opponents of leaving the EU ignore or seek to play down the numerous crises facing the bloc and instead emphasize messages of fear and British weakness in making their case to remain in the EU superstructure.
EU Leaders Indicate Push-back Against "Emergency Brake"

February 10, 2016

The Guardian reports that, as some politicians in Austria and Switzerland support the creation and immediate use of an "emergency brake" to cut off social benefits to recent migrants from EU countries, as proposed by the UK, leaders of EU institutions may resist the change in order to prevent an "open season" for migration reform calls within the bloc.
Former ECJ Official: UK Cannot Override EU Law

February 10, 2016

Casting doubt on proposals to reassert the supremacy of the British Parliament over EU legislation, former Advocate General of the Court of Justice of the EU ("ECJ") Sir Francis Jacobs has said that the only way to prevent EU law from overriding national laws would be to leave the EU.
Howe: Only Brexit Will "Save" UK Sovereignty

February 10, 2016

Martin Howe QC writes that proposals for laws seeking to enhance the sovereignty of the British Parliament ignore the fact that the Parliament already possesses such sovereignty and that the only real way to "disapply" EU legislation in the UK without triggering an escalating conflict would be to vote to leave the EU and negotiate a new trade relationship with the bloc.
Expert Doubts Impact of "Brake" on EU Migration

February 09, 2016

Director of the National Institute for Economic and Social Research Jonathan Portes argues that the proposed "emergency brake" on in-work benefits for migrants to the UK from other EU countries would likely be of little impact in deterring migrants from entering Britain.
Small Parties Cry Foul on EU Parliament Voting Proposals

February 08, 2016

Politico reports that European Parliament political party groups other than the large European People's Party ("EPP") and Socialists and Democrats ("S&D") groups are criticizing a proposal from the Parliament's Committee on Constitutional Affairs working group that would limit the ability of small party groups to slow or block the passage of EU legislation.
Watchdog Pushes for Transparency at EU Commission

February 05, 2016

Citing concerns over a lack of transparency in external advice received by the EU executive, European Ombudsman Emily O’Reilly has called on the European Commission to publish the minutes of meetings with over 800 "expert groups" formed by the body to offer input on EU legislation.
EU Official Proposes New Terms for UK Membership

February 03, 2016

European Council President Donald Tusk has proposed new terms for Britain's membership in the EU, including measures intended to increase UK control over migration and to permit it and other members to block unwanted EU legislation, to be negotiated in the coming weeks, prior to a referendum over the UK's membership in the bloc.
Goodman: Only Brexit Delivers Real UK-EU Change

January 29, 2016

Paul Goodman writes on Conservative Home that, because UK Prime Minister David Cameron's renegotiation of competences with the EU does not guarantee treaty changes and thus might be set aside by other countries or the Court of Justice of the EU, the only opportunity for meaningful reform of Britain's relationship with the EU is for voters to side with leaving the bloc.