Vaccine diplomacy: (new) global map of influence

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During a pandemic, vaccines become the most valuable commodity, allowing the countries and entities that develop and produce them to gain significant political influence at the regional or global level. When looking at the “spheres of expansions” of the types of vaccines, it is notable that although most of the biggest pharmaceutical companies are based in either the United States or Europe, Western companies seem to have been caught off guard by some of their competitors, especially those from China and Russia. Continue Reading

Concentration of nationalities in key EP committees reveals agendas

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© European Union 2019 – Source : EP

*This is the second part of a series covering the political changes within EP Committees. Click here to read the first part. 

The composition of EP committees aims to mirror the balance of power among political factions in the European Parliament as a whole. However, the same proportional distribution is not applied with regards to the representation of different national groups, which allows more freedom to MEPs. Continue Reading

What shall become of Northern Ireland? Part 3: Economic prospects for Britain’s weakest region

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Photo courtesy of Scotty Photography

Part three of a three-part report (missed the first part of the report? You can find it here. Second part is available here.)

By Sean McLaughlin

Any views in this report reflect the views of the author, not of VoteWatch Europe

It is often a pleasant flight across the Irish sea over to Northern Ireland. Patchy clouds give way to lush green land. Continue Reading

What shall become of Northern Ireland? Part 2: The economic challenges of Britain’s weakest region

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Belfast City Hall: Photo courtesy of Scotty Photography

“Caught between a hub and a large place” –

Part two of a three-part report (missed the first part of the report? You can find it here)

By Sean McLaughlin

Any views in this report reflect the views of the author, not of VoteWatch Europe

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The Victorian period saw the glory days of the Northern Irish Economy. Continue Reading

Update: Top 10 Most Influential UK’s MEPs (September 2017)

Leave a comment Published in: Influence Assessment 2017

Note: this country-based report is part of the broader study that measured the influence of MEPs from all 28 EU Members States. To consult the methodology and cross-country comparisons read the full “Who holds the power in the European Parliament?” study.

Claude Moraes, member of the Labour Party (S&D), is the most influential UK MEP, on our list. He is the Chair of the influential Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE). Continue Reading

What shall become of Northern Ireland post-Brexit? Part 1: Politics in Britain’s most fragile region

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The Northern Ireland Assembly in Stormont, Belfast. Photo is courtesy of the author.

By Sean McLaughlin

Any views in this report reflect the views of the author, not of VoteWatch Europe

Whilst a return to Northern Ireland’s bleak past is unlikely, Brexit disorders hard-won political settlements in “the province”. A hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic should be avoided at all costs. Continue Reading

Top 8 effects of Brexit on the future EU policies

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This report looks at the impact of Brexit from a fresh angle, digging into how the direction of the EU policies is likely to change in the absence of the UK representatives from the EU decision-making bodies. Our research combines expert insights with big political data that captures the actual voting records of representatives of all 28 Member States in the EU institutions in recent years.  Continue Reading

France more likely than Germany to lead the EU Council after Brexit, voting records in the Council show

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with special thanks to professor Simon Hix and research assistant Davide Ferrari

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First published on July the 17th 2016, this article has been updated to take into account the latest political developments. 

While Theresa May is expected to trigger Article 50 today, on Wednesday, March 29, many observers wonder how the equilibrium of powers in the EU Council will change without the UK at the negotiations table. Continue Reading

Top 10 most influential UK’s MEPs (September 2016)

Leave a comment Published in: Constitutional affairs, Influence Assessment, Insights, Politics & Institutions

Note: this country-based report is part of the broader study that measured the influence of MEPs from all 28 EU Members States. To consult the methodology and cross-country comparisons read the full “Who holds the power in the European Parliament?” study.

Despite the outcome of the UK’s Brexit referendum, UK’s MEPs are likely to stay in Brussels until the end of this Parliamentary term. Continue Reading

Survey results: how does Brexit impact on EU initiatives and politicians?

Leave a comment Published in: Constitutional affairs, Council, Insights, News, Policy, Politics & Institutions, Pollls, Varia

There is a lot of uncertainty about how Brexit will impact on the current EU initiatives and its highest level politicians. Various officials are trying to spin the narrative so that they can leverage Brexit to back their agendas. But will this work? How will Brexit actually influence the commitments to the EU integration of the remaining Member States? How will it affect TTIP negotiations, the REFIT, digital single market, or the relations with Russia and China? Continue Reading