Democracy Impacts

EU Tensions Mount as Britain Refuses to Concede in Negotiations

September 07, 2020

As deadlines near and negotiating tensions grow, Britain has informed EU negotiators that the final details of the arrangement must respect UK national sovereignty, with David Frost, the UK’s chief negotiator, vowing that the UK would not become a “client state” of the EU by agreeing a trade deal that includes so-called “level playing field” clauses setting common rules and standards for both sides.
Rule of Law Debate May Result in Hungary's Rejection of EU Coronavirus Recovery Package

September 02, 2020

European Union plans for a €750 billion Covid-19 recovery fund are meeting resistance from Hungarian lawmakers, who have threatened to withhold their consent to the plan due to its being conditioned on national governments accepting rule-of-law criteria and budgetary sanctions "based on vague concepts and non-transparent procedures."
Berlin COVID-19 Restrictions Protests Spur Debate Over Freedom of Assembly

September 01, 2020

The recent storming of the Reichstag building in Berlin by anti-COVID-19 restriction protesters is prompting national debate over the proper limits on freedom of assembly in cases where government authorities believe protest organizers will be unable to control violent participants.
Bulgarian Justice Minister Tenders Resignation Amidst Protests

August 31, 2020

After two months of wide-spread protests against the Bulgarian government and justice system, Bulgaria's Justice Minister, Danail Kirilov, has tendered his resignation.
Facebook agrees to pay the French Government 106 million Euros in Back Taxes

August 26, 2020

The French Government, which has been negotiating settlements with several digital giants, including Google and Amazon over allegedly undeclared profits, has secured an agreement for Facebook to pay France 106 million euros in back taxes and penalties.
POLITICO: Ivanov: An Oligarchic Mafia rules Bulgaria due to lack of EU Policy

August 19, 2020

According to former Bulgarian Justice Minister and current head of the Yes Bulgaria Party, Hristo Ivanov, the European Union’s credibility as a custodian of the rule of law is on the line over its failure to respond to a spiraling corruption crisis in Bulgaria.
EU Threatens Sanctions Over Controversial Belarus Elections

August 12, 2020

Continuing tense relations between Belarus and European Union officials, following large public protests over an allegedly compromised election resulting in President Lukashenko securing 80% of the vote relative to opposition candidate Svetlana Tikhanovska, the EU has threatened sanctions.
Politico: British Citizens Resident in the EU Will Have Expanded Right to Movement Privileges

August 10, 2020

According to Politico, European Commission officials have confirmed that, subject to some limitations, British citizens who moved to the EU before the end of 2020 will be able to settle in a different country within the bloc, a development which expands the right to movement granted to UK citizens under the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement.
Poland, Lithuania and Ukraine Form an Alliance to Strengthen Regional Cooperation

August 04, 2020

Poland, Lithuania and Ukraine have announced the creation of the Lublin Triangle, a new platform for increasing cooperation in security, economic, and political matters, which is designed to strengthen their mutual national relations and with the European Union and NATO.
EU Announces Changes to Rules For Online Content

July 07, 2020

The European Commission has announced that social media platforms will now have to follow the same EU broadcasting rules on hate speech and harmful content as traditional media companies.