Democracy Impacts

Coombs: EU Rules Are Incompatible with UK Tradition

June 23, 2016

An article by former UK Member of Parliament Anthony Coombs argues that the European project advanced by the EU, with a focus on comprehensive regulations and unrestrained mobility, is incompatible with British law and tradition.
NYT: Experts Seek Post-Referendum EU Centralization

June 23, 2016

An article in The New York Times cites observers in the EU who argue that the bloc must confront euroskepticism following the British EU referendum by further expanding centralization of powers within the supranational organization to deal with the crises confronting Europe.
Eurozone Leader Pledges Further Integration

June 23, 2016

Reuters reports that the head of the eurozone group of finance ministers, Jeroen Dijsselbloem, has pledged further integration of the currency area regardless of the outcome of the British referendum and in spite of warnings from other EU leaders of growing euroskepticism in the bloc.
UK Minister Pushes for EU Migration Reforms

June 23, 2016

Despite EU resistance to reforms of the principle of "free movement" during UK Prime Minister David Cameron's renegotiation of competences with the bloc, British Home Secretary Theresa May says she will seek reforms to EU migration rules following a "Remain" vote in the country's EU referendum.
EU Leader Denies UK Additional Reform

June 22, 2016

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker has stated that the EU will offer Britain no new negotiations over its relations to the bloc following this week's UK referendum on EU membership.
EU Leaders Threaten End to UK Bank "Passports"

June 21, 2016

Reuters reports that government officials from EU member states have threatened heightened obstacles to UK banks, which can currently sell their services freely across EU borders, in the case of a British exit from the EU.
Norway PM Calls for UK Remain Vote

June 21, 2016

In spite of the outcomes of two past Norwegian referendums in which citizens voted against joining the EU, the Prime Minister of Norway has intervened in the debate over a British EU exit by asserting that British voters should side with remaining in the bloc because a "Brexit" would cause them to lose their voice in the fashioning of EU policies.
EU Official: Brexit Would Permit Further Integration

June 17, 2016

At an event in Brussels, European Commissioner for Digital Economy and Society Günther Oettinger predicted that a British exit from the EU would remove roadblocks to further integration among EU member states, including on matters related to security and foreign policy.
British Campaign Outlines Post-Brexit Plans

June 15, 2016

The UK campaign for leaving the EU has published an outline of its plans following a "Brexit" vote, including an immediate "end to the European Court of Justice's control over national security," a halt to free movement for EU nationals into Britain, and the negotiation of a new trade deal with the bloc by 2020.
Tusk Offers Nods Toward Euroskeptics

June 15, 2016

Politico reports that, in recent speeches, European Council President Donald Tusk is joining a cadre of EU officials and diplomats in shrugging off "naïve Euro-enthusiastic visions of total integration" in favor of a "pause" in EU integration that leaves power in the hands of national governments to solve European crises.