All Questions
997 questions
19
votes
2
answers
3k
views
Will the UK still have to pay the EU under No-Deal Brexit?
It is expected that the U.K. will have to pay around £35 billion for its ongoing obligations if it leaves the EU with the currently proposed deal. I have heard both politicians and members of the ...
19
votes
2
answers
2k
views
What are the political reasons for a strong Euroscepticism in Britain?
Britain is fairly heavily "Eurosceptic":
Within Europe overall, a positive to neutral opinion of the EU dominated, with about 46% of citizens having a positive opinion and only 16% having a ...
18
votes
3
answers
6k
views
Is the UK not member of Schengen, Customs Union, Economic Area, Free Trade Association among others anymore now after Brexit?
I have picture showing where the UK is now compared to other countries. (Outside of European Free Trade Association, European Economic Area, Schengen Area, European Union, Eurozone, EU Customs Union).
...
18
votes
7
answers
8k
views
What does "far right tilt" actually mean in the context of the EU in 2024?
The Washington Post's June 9, 2024 European Parliament tilts right; Macron calls snap elections in France uses the terms "far right" and "conservative" three times and "...
18
votes
5
answers
7k
views
Does stopping metal imports alone cover the trade deficit of the USA?
This article argues a possible trade war that might start as a consequence to steel tariff:
Appearing at a joint press conference in the White House, Mr Trump was
asked how he would avoid his ...
18
votes
2
answers
3k
views
Would France and other EU countries have been able to block freight traffic from the UK if the UK was still in the EU?
There are currently lorries queueing in their thousands in the south east of England as France has closed its border due to the fear of spreading the mutated strain of COVID-19.
If the UK was still in ...
18
votes
6
answers
5k
views
If the EU does not offer an extension to UK's Article 50 invocation, is the Benn Bill irrelevant?
My understanding of the Benn Bill is that it only compels the PM to request an extension and what must be done if an extension is granted.
If an extension isn't granted, is it true that neither the ...
18
votes
1
answer
4k
views
Where can I find which MEP voted for which laws?
As the title says. Specifically I am interested to know if my local Member of the European Parliament voted in favor or against the controversial copyright law that was rejected, but their personal ...
18
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Is Greece request of 279 billion euros from Germany in reparations for the Nazi occupation based on solid legal ground?
To overcome the crisis, Greece is trying to get some money back from Germany.
Greece's deputy finance minister said on Monday Germany owes Greece
nearly 279 billion euros ($305.17 billion) in ...
18
votes
1
answer
826
views
How has the Brexit process affected eurosceptic movements in other European countries?
The rocky and unpredictable state of the Brexit negotiations over the past three and a half years seems to have had an effect on the level of support for the EU, with 68% of respondents across the ...
17
votes
2
answers
6k
views
Why can't Hungary import oil from somewhere other than Russia without "ruin[ing] the Hungarian economy"?
Hungary is opposing a EU proposal to cut Russian oil imports by the end of this year. Their government said that doing so would "ruin the Hungarian economy". I see that they import some 60% ...
17
votes
3
answers
3k
views
Why is Macron seemingly opposing an article 50 extension?
Emmanuel Macron seems to be opposing Article 50 extension, according to Bloomberg:
French President Emmanuel Macron blocked the European Union’s attempt to delay Brexit for three months, raising ...
17
votes
6
answers
7k
views
Why doesn't the EU use its economic power to deal with Turkey's demands?
Despite Turkey having a (in comparison) weak economy, the European Union seems incapable of putting them into their place.
As far as I can tell, there is no reason to fear a military conflict (NATO), ...
17
votes
4
answers
4k
views
Would a Russian visa ban be compliant with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights?
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights says:
Everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and to
return to his country.
Would it therefore be legal to implement a Russian visa ...
17
votes
4
answers
5k
views
Does presumption of innocence work differently for politicians?
According to this EU press release, EU strengthens right to the presumption of innocence:
On 12 February 2016, the Council adopted a directive on the
strengthening of certain aspects of the ...
17
votes
4
answers
5k
views
Has anyone besides the EU classified nuclear as a "green investment"?
From the New York Times article "Europe Plans to Say Nuclear Power and Natural Gas Are Green Investments":
The European Union has drawn up plans to classify some nuclear power and natural ...
17
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Why did David Cameron offer a referendum on the European Union?
In 2013 in a speech in London entitled “Britain and Europe” David Cameron committed to an in/out referendum for the European Union for their 2015 manifesto.
“The next Conservative Manifesto in 2015 ...
17
votes
3
answers
3k
views
Why was having a common currency in the EU seen as necessary?
When it was introduced, the € (Euro) was supposed to be the common currency for the entire EU, even if it turned out many countries (such as the UK) would stay in the EU without using the € currency, ...
17
votes
5
answers
4k
views
What possible retaliation could Russia take against Lithuania for enforcing the EU sanctions?
Russia has today threatened Lithuania with retaliation after Lithuania enforced the EU sanctions blocking certain products from transiting Lithuania from Russia to Kaliningrad. Russia refers to this ...
17
votes
1
answer
2k
views
What politically can be done to compel global compliance by Google?
It's becoming obvious that Google is rapidly being boxed in by various countries. Several years ago, the EU courts created a Right to be Forgotten, in which people in EU countries could complain to ...
17
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Why are alcohol beverages generally exempted from displaying nutritional facts/ingredient list within EU?
This is related to this question, but applied within European Union.
According to this source, EU does not impose nutritional facts or ingredient list display for alcoholic beverage:
Alcoholic ...
17
votes
5
answers
1k
views
Agricultural subsidies of the EU: Why didn't / don't developing countries impose import tariffs on agricultural products?
A common criticism against the agricultural subsidies (mainly against export subsidies) of the European Union is that it leads to dumping in developing nations (say, for example, Ghana) and destroys ...
16
votes
6
answers
4k
views
Why does the EU find the foreign agent law in Georgia against their values?
The draft law would require organizations receiving more than 20% of their funding from abroad to register as "foreign agents".
The EU, which gave Georgia candidate status in December, has ...
16
votes
4
answers
2k
views
What is preventing the UK and the EU from progressing in the talks on post-Brexit trade?
Speaking on June 5th 2020, at the end of the fourth round of talks on post-Brexit trade, EU Chief Negotiator Michel Barnier said:
Ladies and Gentlemen, to be clear, our lack of progress in this
...
16
votes
2
answers
3k
views
What conditions has Germany (or the EU as a whole) attached to the ESM loan offer that Italy is refusing?
It's been asserted in a couple of answers to another question that Germany (or the EU) has attached serious reform conditions to the ESM loans that Italy is refusing.
What conditions were these? (...
16
votes
2
answers
3k
views
Is Norway in the Single Market?
Norway is an EEA/EFTA member and is not in the EU.
The first Google hit for "is Norway in the Single Market?" indicates it is in the Single Market.
But I thought Norway was not in the Single Market, ...
16
votes
3
answers
4k
views
Why would it be considered advantageous to negotiate ones own trade treaties?
As the United Kingdom leaves the European Union, there is debate as to whether the UK should remain in the EU Customs Union (or in a bilateral customs union with the EU, which I believe is almost the ...
16
votes
5
answers
2k
views
Is a second EU Referendum undemocratic?
People often say a second referendum is undemocratic.
The first referendum was partially based on incorrect/dishonest information. After over two years of the general public viewing the government ...
16
votes
3
answers
4k
views
Why are Bulgaria and Romania still not accepted into the Schengen area?
Despite joining the EU 14 years ago, Bulgaria and Romania are still not part of the Schengen area. The wiki article has the following timeline:
On 1 August 2018, Bulgaria and Romania gained full ...
16
votes
2
answers
3k
views
Do German ministers decide themselves how to vote in EU decisions or do they have to follow a government line?
Example/ background: The EU is currently discussing whether there should be a strict law against the sale of cars with a combustion engine starting in 2035. Volker Wissing (of the FDP party) is the ...
16
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Are there any other countries besides the UK that have movements to leave the EU?
Are there any other countries that have movements to leave the EU? If so how popular is the movement in that country?
16
votes
1
answer
735
views
What would be the steps necessary for a country to leave the E.U.?
Given that there is (again) a debate going on whether the United Kingdom should remain in the E.U. or whether they should leave the Union, I was wondering what would be the steps necessary to be taken ...
16
votes
2
answers
893
views
How does the European Union objectively assess the level of corruption within a certain country?
During a meeting with the Romanian Prime Minister, following anti-corruption weakening trials, Frans Timmermans, First Vice-President of the European Commission said the following:
I strongly ...
16
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Why did Denmark stop refugees transiting from Germany to Sweden?
At one point (2015-09-09), there were no trains running between Germany and Denmark. Denmark announced it would return any migrants/refugees who do not wish to seek asylum in Denmark, back to Germany ...
16
votes
0
answers
4k
views
Why would it be in Russia's interests if the Nord Stream 1 was left unoperational? [duplicate]
Supply through NordStream-1 is disrupted. Accusations were made that Russia was responsible for it. If Russia indeed was responsible for it, how would that be in Russia's interest?
Destroying its own ...
15
votes
6
answers
8k
views
Why does the EU restrict the maximum power drawn by various consumer electronics instead of taxing them higher?
According to this article, EU restrictions related to various appliances will go into effect on 2023.03.01. If nothing changes, most high-end TV cannot be sold in the EU:
If nothing changes between ...
15
votes
10
answers
13k
views
Why is Boris Johnson visiting only Paris & Berlin if every member of the EU needs to agree on a withdrawal deal?
LONDON: Boris Johnson will tell Angela Merkel and Emmanuel Macron that there must be a new Brexit deal when he makes his first trip abroad as Prime Minister.
Johnson will make clear to the French ...
15
votes
4
answers
4k
views
What are some roadblocks preventing a free trade agreement between the EU and the US?
Despite the US being the EU’s largest trade and investment partner,
there is no dedicated free trade agreement between the EU and the US.
The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) ...
15
votes
3
answers
3k
views
Purpose of the European Arrest Warrant
In 2005, Osman Hussain, who tried to blow up the London Underground on 21st July that year, was extradited from Italy using the European Arrest Warrant.
This is held up as an example of the utility ...
15
votes
3
answers
5k
views
Why do instructions for various goods sold in EU nowadays lack pages in English?
I have noticed that while user guides, info booklets, stickers, etc. for many goods sold in EU contain information in many languages, this time and another I find that English is not amongst them (at ...
15
votes
2
answers
1k
views
What is Article 50?
Former Prime Minister David Cameron said he would leave triggering Article 50 up to his successor. What exactly is Article 50?
15
votes
1
answer
2k
views
What is the EU official position on Israeli settlements beyond the 1967 border?
Yesterday the Irish parliament voted to officially "condemn the ‘de facto annexation’ of Palestinian land by Israel". The Guardian says:
Ireland’s parliament has voted to condemn Israel’s “...
15
votes
1
answer
661
views
What are the Brexit steps for 2020 and beyond?
As I understand it, Brexit and the start of the transition period on January 31st, 2020, still require the approval of the UK Parliament. This is generally assumed to be certain, given Johnson's ...
15
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Can the EU start (or force UK to) the procedures to leave the union?
The UK might be inclined to not start article 50 in order to have negotiating power in the bilateral agreements. The negotiation power derives from the fact that Britain could block EU policies as a ...
15
votes
1
answer
732
views
How did the view of Continental Europe on Brexit change between the 2016 Referendum and today?
There are plenty of polls asking the British population what they think about Brexit, but there are hardly any polls regarding Continental Europe's view on it; especially no recent ones.
Judging from ...
14
votes
3
answers
5k
views
Would it make sense for a country to have an embassy for the whole of the EU instead of an embassy in each country?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diplomatic_missions_of_the_European_Union
Would it make sense for a country to have an embassy for the whole of the EU instead of an embassy in each country? I was ...
14
votes
6
answers
3k
views
Brexit: leaving Customs Union and/or Single Market -- what do these things really mean?
I recently got quite a long and detailed reply from my local MP, Rachael Maskell, who recently resigned as Shadow Environment Secretary due to her opposition to Brexit. The reply was to an email I ...
14
votes
1
answer
3k
views
Why is Germany not in the New Hanseatic League?
The Bad Weather Coalition, more formally known as the New Hanseatic League, is a group of EU member states Ireland, Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, which are all “...
14
votes
4
answers
1k
views
What are the reasons for increase of nationalism and euroscepticism in Poland?
Poland has previously been the most promising of new EU members. What made it change course in recent years?
14
votes
5
answers
1k
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How would one explain the E.U. to a 5 year-old?
As the European Union is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, it would be interesting to have an explanation of the E.U. which a 5 year-old would understand. Is there anybody who can give such an ...