Democracy Impacts

Romanian Official Criticizes Plans for "Multi-speed" EU

August 02, 2017

In an interview with Reuters, Romanian Foreign Minister Teodor Melescanu opposed the creation of a "multi-speed EU" in which Western European countries could transfer their sovereignty to supranational institutions at a quicker rate than other EU members and said there is no need for new mechanisms to monitor the rule of law situation in Poland and Hungary.
EU Launches "Low-Ambition" Military HQ

August 01, 2017

The Daily Telegraph reports that British officials are branding a much-anticipated EU Military Planning and Conduct Capability headquarters launched in May a bare "call centre" comprising fewer than 10 people who all already have existing jobs and cannot command military operations.
Negotiator: UK Is Prepared for "No Deal" Brexit Scenario

August 01, 2017

Reuters reports that, as the June general election in the UK approached, the country's Brexit Secretary David Davis made clear in an interview that Britain is prepared to leave the EU without a deal rather than accept a "bad deal" continuing to tie the country to the bloc.
British PM: Offset Brexit Bill with EU Debts

August 01, 2017

The Sunday Telegraph reports that, in the lead-up to the recent UK general election, Prime Minister Theresa May asserted that any "divorce" payment demanded by EU officials in Brexit negotiations must yield to the UK's own financial "rights," including the country's share in the European Investment Bank and other projects, upon its departure from the bloc.
US President Predicts "Big & Exciting" Trade Deal with UK

August 01, 2017

As US and UK trade representatives met in Washington, DC, to discuss a potential trade deal between the two countries after the conclusion of Brexit, US President Donald Trump predicted the deal “could be very big & exciting” and criticized the "protectionist" EU.
ECJ Official Supports Basis of EU Migrant Sharing Plan

August 01, 2017

The New York Times reports that Advocate General for the Court of Justice of the EU (ECJ) Yves Bot has advised the ECJ to dismiss actions brought by Hungary and Slovakia against the EU’s 2015 migrant sharing plan, finding that the scheme was a "proportionate means" of dealing with the bloc's migration crisis.
EU Ministers Work Toward Joint Military Funding

July 31, 2017

Reuters reports that, as part of their steps toward a European defense union, defense ministers from EU member states recently agreed to talks on pooling their public funds toward joint military projects, including a defense research facility run by the European Commission.
British Officials Pledge End to “Free Movement”

July 27, 2017

The BBC reports that, while multiple British officials have pledged that the UK will not retain the EU’s free movement policy after leaving the bloc, UK Home Secretary Amber Rudd has asserted that there will be no "cliff edge" for migration of foreign workers and has commissioned a report studying the potential impacts of migration curbs after Brexit.
Report Calls for UK, EU to Reach Extradition Deal

July 27, 2017

A report by the UK House of Lords' EU Home Affairs Sub-Committee calls on the UK government to reach an agreement on a post-Brexit extradition arrangement with the EU similar to the current system under the European Arrest Warrant to ensure there is no interruption in extraditions between the EU and Britain after the departure of the UK from the bloc.
EU, UK Remain at Odds over Key Brexit Issues

July 26, 2017

Politico reports that, at the close of the first round of substantive talks on Brexit, EU and UK negotiators have acknowledged key differences over the Brexit "divorce settlement" bill and EU citizens rights, including over the possible jurisdiction of the Court of Justice of the EU (ECJ) in cases involving EU citizens living in the UK.