The EU after Brexit: Institutional and Policy Implications (Palgrave Studies in European Union Politics)

Annotation Much attention has been paid to the ongoing and unpredictable Brexit negotiations between the EU and the UK, but much less on what the absence of the UK might entail for the remaining 27 EU Member States. This book explores the range of implications for the EU after Brexit, and whether it is likely to become stronger or weaker as a result. It reviews the different attitudes on the EU's future within both the member states and the individual EU institutions, and examines the impacts of Brexit on the composition of the EU institutions and on the balance of power between the member states. It also looks at linguistic and cultural impacts, the UK's wider legacy for the EU and possible changes in EU priorities. The author concludes that Brexit has reinforced the EU's unity in the short term, but that the EU will have to confront a number of key challenges if it is to be reinforced in the longer term. This book will appeal to practitioners, scholars and students interested in EU politics and integration in general, and Brexit in particular Contents 6 Chapter 1 Introduction 7 Abstract 7 Chapter 2 Will the EU Become Stronger or Weaker or Even Disintegrate as a Result of Brexit? 12 Abstract 12 Europe Was Moving Towards a Superstate, and the EU Could, and Would, Get on with Achieving This Objective Once the UK Had Left 15 Those Who Argued That British Exit Could Lead to a Wider Collapse of the EU and a Return to National Sovereignty 16 Bibliography 18 Chapter 3 Attitudes Within the 27 Member States on the Future of the EU in the Light of Brexit 19 Abstract 19 The Views Within EU Member States Towards the Prospect of Brexit 19 Public Opinion and the EU in More General Terms 22 Some Specific Concerns of European Citizens 23 The Risks of Brexit Contagion in Other EU Countries 25 A Hesitant EU Response to Other Political Challenges Within the EU 30 The Balance Between Referendums and Representative Democracy 33 What Guidance Is There from the Member States on the Direction of Travel for the Continuing EU? 35 Implications of the Above for the Ongoing Brexit Negotiations 39 Bibliography 41 Chapter 4 Strategic Options for the EU: Institutional Reactions to Brexit 43 Abstract 43 Council and European Council 44 Bratislava and Rome Declarations 44 Article 50 Negotiating Guidelines 45 The Leaders’ Agenda Put Forward by EU Council President Donald Tusk 47 The European Commission 49 European Parliament 54 Reaction to Brexit 55 Views on the Future of Europe 57 The Shorter Term Policy Agenda for the EU 61 Bibliography 63 Chapter 5 The Potential Institutional Impacts of Brexit 65 Abstract 65 Council and European Council 66 European Commission 67 European Parliament 68 Composition of the Parliament 68 Impact on European Parliament Political Groups 74 Changes to the Other EU Institutions and Bodies 76 Changes in the Balance of Power in an EU of 27 Member States 77 Will there need to be a wider institutional package requiring Treaty change? 79 Bibliography 81 Chapter 6 The Cultural Impacts of Brexit 82 Abstract 82 The Language Regime 82 Ways of Doing Business 85 Bibliography 86 Chapter 7 The UK and Europe 87 Abstract 87 The costs and benefits of “non-UK”: Legacy for the EU 87 The Role of the UK during the Brexit process 89 Officials of UK nationality in the EU Institutions 92 Losses of EU institutional jobs in the UK 94 Continuing links between British and EU politicians and civil servants after Brexit has occurred 95 What policy choices will the UK itself make as regards its future relationship with the EU? 98 And what if the UK changed its mind about leaving the EU? 101 Bibliography 103 Chapter 8 EU Policies and Priorities in a Post-Brexit Era 105 Abstract 105 The Budget and Own Resources 106 Overall Economic Policy 108 The Euro and Eurozone Reform 109 Trade Policy 111 Strengthening of the Single Market 112 The Free Movement of Persons 113 Better Regulation 115 Social Policy 115 Energy, Environmental and Climate Change Policies 117 Agriculture and Fisheries 117 Immigration 118 Foreign Policy, Development and Defence Issues 120 EU Enlargement 121 Culture and Education 122 Other Policies 123 Bibliography 123 Chapter 9 The Challenges Ahead 125 Abstract 125 The Challenge of Leadership 126 The Challenge of EU Administration 126 The Challenge of the EU’s Democratic Accountability 127 The Challenge of Communicating the EU to Its Citizens 129 The Challenge of How Best to Defend the EU’s Values 130 The Challenge of Renewal of EU Solidarity 131 Overall Assessment 132 Bibliography 135 Index 136 Front Matter ....Pages i-v Introduction (Francis B Jacobs)....Pages 1-5 Will the EU Become Stronger or Weaker or Even Disintegrate as a Result of Brexit? (Francis B Jacobs)....Pages 7-13 Attitudes Within the 27 Member States on the Future of the EU in the Light of Brexit (Francis B Jacobs)....Pages 15-38 Strategic Options for the EU: Institutional Reactions to Brexit (Francis B Jacobs)....Pages 39-60 The Potential Institutional Impacts of Brexit (Francis B Jacobs)....Pages 61-77 The Cultural Impacts of Brexit (Francis B Jacobs)....Pages 79-83 The UK and Europe (Francis B Jacobs)....Pages 85-102 EU Policies and Priorities in a Post-Brexit Era (Francis B Jacobs)....Pages 103-122 The Challenges Ahead (Francis B Jacobs)....Pages 123-133 Back Matter ....Pages 135-142