Democracy Impacts

UK MEP Dismisses Proposals for Joining EFTA

March 19, 2018

UK Member of the European Parliament (MEP) David Campbell Bannerman explains flaws in proposals for Britain to join the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) - a trade bloc including Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland - after Brexit, calling instead for striking a trade deal with the EU based on the EU-Canada free trade agreement.
EC Plans Oversight Agency for Labor Rules

March 14, 2018

EurActiv reports that the European Commission (EC) is planning by next year to establish a European Labour Authority with broad powers to resolve labor disputes within the EU and to force national governments to enforce EU rules on transnational labor migration and other employment issues.
UK Official: Staying in EU Customs Union Would Be "Sellout"

March 09, 2018

Politico reports that UK Trade Secretary Liam Fox has argued that remaining in a customs union with the EU, which he says would subject the UK to rules over which it has no say and would prevent the country from negotiating new trade deals, would be a "complete sellout of Britain's national interests."
UK Committee Warns of Costs of Extended Brexit Transition

March 09, 2018

The UK Parliament's European Scrutiny Committee has warned that any extension of the planned transition period during which the UK would agree to accept EU regulations following Brexit would bleed into the next EU budgetary period and could result in payments of billions of pounds into EU coffers.
UK Labour Party Seeks Customs Union with EU

March 08, 2018

The Guardian reports that Jeremy Corbyn, the leader of the British Labour Party, has announced that his party is in favor of Britain's remaining in a customs union with the EU, meaning the UK would not be able to strike trade deals with other countries without the consent of EU officials, while encouraging a "bespoke" arrangement for access to the EU's common market.
Davis: UK Will Maintain Regulatory Standards After Brexit

March 08, 2018

The Independent reports that, in a speech recently delivered in Vienna, UK Brexit Secretary David Davis dismissed EU concerns about Britain's departure from the bloc leading to a major deregulation effort, creating a "Mad Max-style" dystopia, and committed to maintaining high levels of environmental and employment regulation after Brexit.
EU Officials Rethink Brexit "Punishment Clause"

March 07, 2018

The BBC reports on assurances by EU diplomats that they would reconsider a "punishment clause" in draft EU negotiating guidelines on Brexit, threatening sanctions against the UK if it breaks EU rules during a post-Brexit transition period, signaling a softening of the EU's position after blowback regarding perceived harsh terms of the proposed Brexit deal.
EC Seeks Debate on Consolidation of EU Authority

March 05, 2018

In preparation for an informal leaders' meeting at the Council of the EU in February, the European Commission (EC) called for debate on the consolidation of authority at the top of the EU institutions by reducing the number of European Commissioners and by permitting one person to lead both the EC and the EU Council.
Redwood: Brexit Transition Period Is Not Essential

March 05, 2018

John Redwood MP writes that the UK should only agree to a post-Brexit period during which it continues to apply EU rules, makes payments toward the EU budget, and accepts the jurisdiction of the Court of Justice of the EU if EU negotiators agree to work toward a free-trade deal that will enter into force directly after such an "implementation" period.
EU Official Touts "Ambitious" Defense Collaboration

March 05, 2018

In a speech in Rome, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini characterized the recent creation of a mechanism for defense collaboration among EU member states as "more ambitious than a European army," pointing to the broad reach of the cooperation in various economic sectors and its inclusion of a diplomatic focus.