Democracy Impacts

Craddock: EU Denies Participatory Democracy

August 06, 2014

Josh Craddock writes that the European Commission's summary dismissal of the "One of Us" citizens' initiative, which sought to prevent EU funding of embryo destruction, demonstrates the existence of a "democratic deficit" in the EU.
"One of Us" Committee Files Complaint over EU Inaction

July 30, 2014

The organizers of the European Citizens' Initiative "One of Us" have filed a complaint with the Court of Justice of the EU seeking annulment of the European Commission's decision to ignore the initiative, which seeks to end EU funding of the destruction of human embryos.
Howe Recommends "Zero Plus" U.K. Renegotiation with EU

July 23, 2014

Martin Howe QC has published a paper arguing that in the case of a "no" vote in the EU referendum planned in 2017, the U.K. should perform a "zero plus" renegotiation by withdrawing from the EU and choosing which areas of the trade bloc it would be beneficial to rejoin.
U.K. Government Plans Parliamentary Veto of ECHR Decisions

July 23, 2014

According to The Telegraph, the current U.K. Government's plans for replacing the U.K. Human Rights Act with a British Bill of Rights include giving U.K. Members of Parliament the authority to overrule decisions of the European Court of Human Rights ("ECHR") in Strasbourg.
Muller: Christian Democracy Is on Decline

July 18, 2014

Jan-Werner Muller has published an article arguing that secularization and disenchantment with the ideal of European integration have caused Christian Democratic parties to decline in favor of nationalist and populist parties.
EU Warns Ireland Not to Stray from Austerity Path

July 14, 2014

In its first "post-program surveillance report" following the financial crisis, the EU has called for Ireland to avoid initiatives to reduce taxes and increase expenditures, due to high government and private indebtedness in the country.
National Legislators Call for More Authority in EU Lawmaking

July 14, 2014

A letter supported by the parliaments of 20 of the 28 EU member states calls for the expanded authority of national parliaments to back or reject proposed EU legislation.
AfD Increases Legitimacy Following Election

July 14, 2014

The Alternative for Germany ("AfD") party, which opposes an EU-wide currency and favors the return of powers from Brussels to EU member states, is gaining legitimacy with its overarching message, from its manifesto, "courage to stand up for Germany."
EU Controversy Erupts over Deal to Install Commission President

July 14, 2014

The Telegraph reports that following an election in which officials argued for greater EU democratic transparency, observers in Brussels are protesting the EU Parliament's vote for Martin Schulz as its President in an alleged back-room deal for support with other establishment candidates for top EU posts.
MEPs Deny Euroskeptic Parties Committee Posts

July 14, 2014

EUobserver reports that three of the largest party groupings in the European Parliament are pooling support to deny committee posts to party groupings that favor returning powers from Brussels to national governments, including the groupings including the U.K. Conservatives and the U.K. Independence Party.