Democracy Impacts

MEP Blames EU Divisions on Poor Communication

June 15, 2016

Czech Member of the European Parliament Tomáš Zdechovský asserts that, to continue EU integration in the face of countervailing pressure such as an internal lack of support and external pressure from Russia, the EU needs to sustain a dialogue with citizens on policies that are "understandable" to the general public and will help ordinary people.
French Diplomats Seek Punitive Brexit

June 13, 2016

Politico reports that "senior EU diplomatic sources" are calling for tough trade terms negotiated at a quick pace between a newly independent Britain and the EU in order to discourage other countries from leaving the bloc in case the UK votes to leave the EU in an upcoming referendum.
Academic: Conflict May Estrange Poland from Brussels

June 13, 2016

Norbert Maliszewski of the University of Warsaw writes that, if it pushes on with its rule of law investigation of Poland, the European Commission risks relegating the country to a "European Union B" group where voters feel estranged from EU officials and institutions.
EU Integration "Architect" Calls for "European Pause"

June 09, 2016

In an interview with Politico, French diplomat Hubert Védrine, a key participant in the development of the euro currency and the passport-free Schengen Area, calls on EU member states to respond to voter disenchantment with centralization of powers in Brussels by seeking a "pause" in the integration of the bloc.
EU Leader Concedes Imbalance in Budget Enforcement

June 09, 2016

In a recent interview, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said that his institution had granted the French government leniency on breaking the EU's budget rules "because it is France."
Tusk Warns of Backlash to EU Federalism

June 07, 2016

In a speech in Luxembourg, President of the Council of the EU Donald Tusk warned that some leaders of the EU and member countries had become "obsessed with the idea of instant and total integration" and called for them instead, for now, to solve present-day problems and respect national sovereignty to counter euroskeptic backlash.
UK General Criticizes EU Defense Efforts

June 03, 2016

Arguing that the EU is "undermining" national defense policies in Europe, former director of UK special forces General Sir Michael Rose has called for the UK to leave the EU and contribute to regional security solely as part of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
Telegraph: EU Hides Plans for Army Before Brexit Vote

June 03, 2016

The Telegraph reports that the EU is keeping secret, until the UK vote on EU membership, a document on the bloc's "Global Strategy on Foreign and Security Policy" drawn up by its foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini, that contains recommendations on a move toward a unified EU military.
Bootle: Brexit Would Shield Britain from Euro Collapse

May 23, 2016

British economist Roger Bootle writes that a British vote to depart the EU would permit the UK to avoid the risk of remaining within the margins of a potential United States of Europe and would partially shield the country from any break-up or collapse of the euro currency.
MP Criticizes Omission of "Sovereignty Bill" from UK Agenda

May 19, 2016

UK Member of Parliament Iain Duncan Smith has criticized the British Government for omitting a so-called "Sovereignty Bill," which would assert parliamentary supremacy against certain opinions of the Court of Justice of the EU, from its announced agenda for the current parliamentary term.