Democracy Impacts

Small Parties Cry Foul on EU Parliament Voting Proposals

February 08, 2016

Politico reports that European Parliament political party groups other than the large European People's Party ("EPP") and Socialists and Democrats ("S&D") groups are criticizing a proposal from the Parliament's Committee on Constitutional Affairs working group that would limit the ability of small party groups to slow or block the passage of EU legislation.
Watchdog Pushes for Transparency at EU Commission

February 05, 2016

Citing concerns over a lack of transparency in external advice received by the EU executive, European Ombudsman Emily O’Reilly has called on the European Commission to publish the minutes of meetings with over 800 "expert groups" formed by the body to offer input on EU legislation.
EU Official Proposes New Terms for UK Membership

February 03, 2016

European Council President Donald Tusk has proposed new terms for Britain's membership in the EU, including measures intended to increase UK control over migration and to permit it and other members to block unwanted EU legislation, to be negotiated in the coming weeks, prior to a referendum over the UK's membership in the bloc.
Goodman: Only Brexit Delivers Real UK-EU Change

January 29, 2016

Paul Goodman writes on Conservative Home that, because UK Prime Minister David Cameron's renegotiation of competences with the EU does not guarantee treaty changes and thus might be set aside by other countries or the Court of Justice of the EU, the only opportunity for meaningful reform of Britain's relationship with the EU is for voters to side with leaving the bloc.
Fletcher Dean: US Should Encourage Success of "European Project"

January 22, 2016

Admiral and Dean of Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University James Stavridis surveys the security risks facing Europe, ranging from the Islamic State to Russia, and draws the conclusion that, to contain these threats, the US must support the centralization of European power in supranational institutions.
UK Official Suggests Alternative EU Migration Reforms

January 20, 2016

Arguing in recent remarks that Britain "has passed the high-water mark of EU intervention in our national life," UK Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond suggested alternatives to deterring immigration from other EU countries through a restriction on in-work benefits could be an "emergency brake" on migration or redefining what constitutes a "worker" in the EU.
Grayling: Absent Fundamental Change, UK Must Leave EU

January 14, 2016

Writing in support of UK Prime Minister David Cameron's renegotiation with EU leaders over the balance of powers between the British Government and the EU, Leader of the House of Commons Chris Grayling calls for fundamental EU reforms that shield the UK from continued political integration within the bloc.
EU Supporters Sense Massive 2016 Challenges

January 04, 2016

The Associated Press reports that, in light of developments including the upcoming referendum on EU membership in the UK and a nationalist resurgence in the newly elected Polish Government, supporters of EU integration, including national and supranational officials, fear the "unraveling" of the European project in 2016.
Report Finds EU Costs Outweigh Market Benefits

December 30, 2015

A report from the British "Vote Leave" campaign has found that the costs of UK contributions to the EU and EU single-market regulations outweigh the annual economic benefits the European Commission calculates that the UK receives from being part of the bloc.
Halligan: Cameron's Negotiation Strategy May Lead to "Brexit"

December 30, 2015

In an analysis of the state of the British electorate prior to the referendum on the UK's membership in the EU, Liam Halligan of The Telegraph writes that Prime Minister David Cameron may be unintentionally sabotaging the campaign to remain in the bloc by engaging in a weak renegotiation with EU leaders.