All Questions
997 questions
11
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Are there EU countries that offer a path to citizenship for non-EU foreign workers?
In the US there exist "dual intent" visas, e.g. H-1B, which while being a temporary work permit, nevertheless can lead to a permanent residence rights ("green card", usually sponsored by the employer ...
11
votes
2
answers
3k
views
Which EU member countries are opposed to Turkey's accession to the EU?
As far as I know, France is a strong opposer of Turkey's full membership in the EU.
What other EU member countries are opposed to Turkey's accession to the EU?
- 19k
11
votes
3
answers
1k
views
What is the procedure for changing unanimity EU policy?
It seems quite unnatural to have a unanimity requirement for voting in large organizations. European Union is 27-member strong with some of the countries "misbehaving" quite often (Hungary ...
- 1,182
11
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Can a British citizen living in France vote in both France and Britain in the European Elections?
Are there constraints on the number of countries in which you can place a vote in the European Election?
Can a British citizen living in France vote in both France and Britain in the European ...
- 10.4k
11
votes
3
answers
1k
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Why don't Syrian refugees claim asylum at the Turkish-Greek border?
As far as I know (from here) the standard way for Syrian refugees to enter Greece from Turkey has been to cross the sea covertly by boat to reach one of the Greek islands that are not far from the ...
user7361
11
votes
4
answers
2k
views
Under EU law, can Scotland remain or be re-admitted to the EU after Brexit while still a part of the UK?
Newspaper reports yesterday said that the Scottish First Minister and leader of the Scottish National Party, Nicola Sturgeon, had lobbied EU members to support Scotland's remain bid.
After Scotland ...
- 2,745
11
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5
answers
1k
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How would a country leaving the EU be worse off economically?
I've been told the UK would be worse off but how exactly would it be? Would a country that left the EU:
Lose anything more than just funding they receive from the EU?
Not just copy the EU's policies ...
- 113
11
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3
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1k
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Why does France have systematic difficulties in obtaining a budget deficit below 3%?
According to this article France plans for a budget deficit slightly over the EU allowed limit of 3%:
France's budget deficit is likely to overshoot the European Union's
limit of 3 percent of GDP ...
- 53.5k
11
votes
2
answers
636
views
Why does France resist the Midcat pipeline?
Earlier this month we read that the construction of a gas pipeline between Germany and the Iberian peninsula is strongly supported by Portugal, Germany and Spain. This pipeline should, at least in ...
- 1,255
11
votes
4
answers
905
views
EU ETS: if within-EU flight emissions are limited to climate goals, does a person choosing to fly add to emissions?
I've been trying to fly less and less because it seems the right thing to do. But I can't quite counter this thought:
The EU Emission Trading System (ETS) covers commercial aviation. So passenger ...
- 111
11
votes
2
answers
442
views
Consequences of hypothetical "cast one vote for OR against" system?
I've been reading about tactical voting - often it happens when a voter is more motivated to avoid one candidate than elect another. Tactical voting is considered a risk for many voting systems, or at ...
- 349
11
votes
2
answers
421
views
What are arguments against weakening nations and strengthening local communities more in the EU? [closed]
At the end of the day, the majority of people's lives take place in a local, perhaps regional context.
Doesn't having a national level of administration between people and the EU create an extra ...
- 209
11
votes
2
answers
389
views
Is it possible to leave EU but remain in Eurozone, legally?
As to this comment:
[I]s it possible to leave EU but remain in Eurozone, legally?
Thanks @DVK for the question
- 5,421
11
votes
2
answers
939
views
Why do Europeans pay for European products with US Dollar?
In Jean-Claude Juncker's most recent speech on the state of the European Union, there is this perplexing passage:
It is absurd that Europe pays for 80% of its energy import bill – worth 300
...
- 288
11
votes
1
answer
921
views
Can Austria deny non-Austrian EU citizens from taking a job?
According to this article, Austria's chancellor said that
EU citizens should be barred from taking jobs if a qualified Austrian
has applied to the same position [..] accused east European nations ...
- 53.5k
11
votes
2
answers
587
views
How to distribute asylum applicants more evenly in Europe?
Sweden has 8.4 asylum applicants per 1000 residents whereas Hungary, the second ranking European country, has only ~4. Most other European countries have 0-2 asylum applicants per 1000 residents (...
user5539
11
votes
3
answers
1k
views
Why did the EU not unify the financial systems when the Euro was created?
It could be argued that many of the problems plaguing the EU in the recent years stem from a lack of integration among the various countries in the union.
These missing "integration points" include, ...
- 6,745
11
votes
1
answer
296
views
How significant is social cohesion to long term economic growth?
The EU has a long track record of pushing for more social cohesion and the debate on a new round of cohesion policies is ongoing. Hopefully it will result in a cohesive set of guidelines for the 2014 -...
- 9,662
10
votes
5
answers
3k
views
How long will the war in Ukraine have to last for Ukrainian refugees to become permanent residents?
If the war in Ukraine were to end tomorrow, it is likely that the majority of Ukrainian refugees would have their status revoked and be asked to return home. However, if the war were to last for 20 ...
- 51.2k
10
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Would the UK have to pay anything to the EU in case of a no-deal Brexit?
The EU was very insistent on the UK paying back its obligations to the EU after leaving the Union, as a condition for negotiating a favorable trade deal. But would the UK have to pay back anything if ...
- 51.2k
10
votes
3
answers
9k
views
Are European union member states sovereign?
Because the member states have to obey some rules, such as :
Placing the EU flag on the left all licence plates
Have to grant freedom of movement
Have to be member of the ESE and grant free trade
...
- 7,391
10
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1
answer
3k
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Why did British Steel have to borrow 120 million pounds (from the government) to cover its ETS obligations?
Can someone clarify why British Steel had to receive a UK government loan for this sum of 120 million pounds?
Did British Steel need this money to buy ETS allowances, or were these fines for not ...
10
votes
2
answers
836
views
Why did the EU threaten to retaliate over Airbus-related tariffs even after they were allowed by the WTO?
I'm probably missing something in the long saga of the Airbus-Boeing WTO complaints, but today the BBC reported that:
The US has been given the go-ahead to impose tariffs on $7.5bn (£6.1bn) of goods ...
10
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Would Switzerland's direct democracy survive EU membership? [closed]
The Swiss citizenry has this year ruled, among other things, on extension of federal government's taxation rights until 2035, giving monopoly on money creation to the Swiss National Bank, on the ...
- 667
10
votes
2
answers
2k
views
What did Theresa May mean by: the EU wants a backstop to the backstop?
In her statement to Parliament, Theresa May stated that the EU wanted a backstop to the backstop. What does she mean by that?
If I understand correctly, the backstop is a fallback position for ...
- 10.4k
10
votes
2
answers
774
views
Is it difficult for Scotland to become a member of the EU if they gain independence from the UK following Brexit
Britain is ready for Brexit (to quit the EU) and Scotland wants another independence referendum which the UK refused.
Following Brexit, if Scotland gains independence from the UK, is it difficult for ...
- 411
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2
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1k
views
The EU and Japan recently concluded a Free Trade Agreement - will the EU and Japan share a common rulebook on goods, including agrifood?
The EU and Japan recently negotiated a Free Trade Agreement.
Will the EU and Japan therefore share a common rulebook for goods, including agrifood?
- 10.4k
10
votes
1
answer
1k
views
If Russia is funding right-wing politicians within the EU, why doesn't the EU return the favor and start funding Putin's opponents in Russia?
There are numerous reports about how Russia is financing right-wing politicians within the EU in order to unbalance the Union. But why doesn't the EU return the favor and start funding people like ...
- 51.2k
10
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3
answers
2k
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How does STAR Voting compare with plain Score Voting?
I've been reading a lot about voting systems, and Score Voting seems like a pretty good system, but Equal Vote Coalition advocates STAR Voting (= "Score Then Automatic Runoff", previously SRV = "Score ...
- 3,552
10
votes
3
answers
676
views
To what extent are financial services in this last Brexit deal (trade agreement)?
I've read two somewhat conflicting accounts from the BBC on this. On one hand:
[Boris Johnson] acknowledged he had been forced to give ground on his demands on fishing.
"The EU began with I ...
10
votes
2
answers
758
views
How big is this customs-clearing fee that packages from the UK to the EU incur? [closed]
The BBC has an article that lots of Germans are apparently refusing to accept packages they ordered from the UK once they are presented with the new customs clearing form/fee.
Since 1 January, lots ...
10
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Why is the UK withdrawing from the European Arrest Warrant?
On Feb 27th, in a document setting out its approach to negotiations with the EU, the UK government announced its intention to withdraw from the European Arrest Warrant. (Pg. 27)
Is the UK obligated ...
CDJB♦
- 109k
10
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2
answers
2k
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What does 'regaining control of our borders' in Brexit campaigns actually mean for non-EU immigrants to the UK?
What does 'regaining control of our borders' in Brexit campaigns actually mean for non-EU immigrants to the UK? Does it have any bearing at all on this group of people?
- 231
10
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1
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474
views
How is the EU ban on Russian media (eg RT) implemented legally?
As a part of the war of Russia on Ukraine, European Union has imposed a sanction to block media associated with Russian government within the union.
How is this implemented in terms of legal decrees ...
- 203
10
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1
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1k
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Could the City of London leave the EU while the UK remained?
In 1985 Greenland voted to leave the European Economic Community, mainly to have more control over their fishing. Greenland also happens to be part of Denmark. Let's assume the United Kingdom's ...
- 351
10
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1
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1k
views
Could the EU accept member states that are geographically outside Europe?
Could the European Union accept a member state or states that are not geographically part of Europe (e.g. Australia) under the current rules?
- 299
10
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2
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1k
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Why is the British government waiting until March 29th to officially Brexit?
A few days ago the Brexit bill received royal assent, the last official step required for a UK bill to become law. The UK has declared that they will officially invoke Article 50 on March 29th, 9 days ...
10
votes
1
answer
908
views
What is the rationale for hosting CIA secret jails by Romania and Lithuania?
According to this article, the European Court of Human Rights ruled that Romania and Lithuania allowed the detention and abuse of a Saudi and a Palestinian at secret U.S. prisons:
The court ...
- 53.5k
10
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2
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1k
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Can the European Union declare an individual persona non grata?
From The Guardian (emphasis mine):
The European Parliament’s main political parties are making an unprecedented attempt to block Donald Trump’s likely choice as ambassador to the European Union (EU)...
- 49.3k
10
votes
2
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367
views
How can we define which EU countries are giving more power to regions? Which patterns are used to evaluate it?
It is common in Spain to say that the Autonomous communities have the highest level of autonomy among the European Union: they have a lot of power in the areas of taxes, laws, etc.
I also heard about ...
- 1,806
10
votes
1
answer
576
views
How will the European Parliament look after brexit?
So 751 different members of the European Parliament was elected. However, some extra members were also elected for some countries for which the extra members first join the parliament the day (when/if)...
- 103
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1
answer
348
views
What will be the process and timescale for this proposal on retention of EU citizenship by UK nationals to be considered?
I just spotted this interesting article about an amendment proposed by the Luxembourger MEP Charles Goerens to the EU Committee on Constitutional Affairs to allow individual Brits an opt-in to keep EU ...
- 897
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2
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829
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Which EU laws are commonly claimed to be detrimental to the UK?
Among pro-Brexit voters there seems to be a belief that many of the EU laws are silly or otherwise bad for the UK. There is a partial list of myths surrounding bad EU legislation which covers some of ...
- 201
10
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1
answer
484
views
How often did the European Parliament use its optional secret ballot rule?
According to Wikipedia:
If at least 20% of the Parliament requests it before voting begins, the vote will be taken by secret ballot.
Citing (the 2nd para of) EP Rule 169, which is actually a bit ...
10
votes
2
answers
299
views
In the absence of a trade deal, and an amended withdrawal agreement, how will smuggling be prevented across the Irish border?
The extreme wing of the Conservative party which is currently ascendant in Britain, argues that there will never be a hard border in Ireland, because no one would build one, Britain, Ireland nor the ...
- 10.7k
10
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2
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2k
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How does the UK welfare system compare with other wealthy European nations?
Many citizens of the UK believe that the government are too much of a "soft touch", and that it is too easy to claim state welfare for a multitude of reasons (disability, housing, childcare, job ...
- 257
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442
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Is there any proof of foreign interference in Ukraine's 2004 or 2010 presidential elections?
There has been polarization between moving towards Russia or the West in Ukrainian politics. There have also been allegations of election interference from both sides along these lines.
During the ...
- 4,735
9
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6
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5k
views
Why does the EU believe that there's no need for an across the board harmonisation of member states' tax systems?
In this Communication, the Commission reiterated its belief that there
is no need for an across the board harmonisation of Member States' tax
systems. Provided that they respect EU rules, Member ...
user28660
9
votes
5
answers
3k
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What are the benefits of the proposed Euro/Corona bonds over conventional government bonds?
This article describes the efforts of several European Union countries to agree to issue "corona bonds" or "Eurobonds", which are a joint EU mechanism to issue joint debt shared between different ...
CDJB♦
- 109k
9
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4
answers
3k
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Why doesn't UK go for the same deal Japan has with EU to resolve Brexit?
Is seems that one of the problems of finding a solution acceptable for both UK and EU was that no other non-EU country has the kind of relation with EU that UK seeks. But Japan has a reasonably ...
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