Skip to main content

Francis Jacobs

Followers

7

Following

2

Public Views

British and Irish citizen, resident in Dublin. Former European Parliament staff member. Currently Adjunct Senior Research Fellow at University College Dublin, Visiting Professor at Collegio Europeo, Parma, Italy and regular lecturer at Irish, Italian and other universities and at political science conferences. Individual member of Irish Institute of International and European Affairs and member of its Future of Europe Working Group. Co-author (with Corbett and Neville) of book on European Parliament(now in its 9th edition) and editor and principal compiler of book on Western European Political Parties. EUSA and UACES member.

less

Sciences Po, Paris

Christian Meseth

Freie Universität Berlin

Tampere University

Norwegian University of Science and Technology

Luca Bartolucci

LUISS Guido Carli

LUISS Guido Carli

Christine Neuhold

Université libre de Bruxelles

Interests

Uploads

Papers by Francis Jacobs

The European Parliament

IGC 2000: Challenges for the European Parliament

Ready for the Future? The Impact of Enlargement on the European Parliament

EIPAScope, 2004

Constitution is ratified, the EP's legislative and budgetary powers will be further reinforced, w... more Constitution is ratified, the EP's legislative and budgetary powers will be further reinforced, with, in particular, 'codecision', by which Parliament and Council must agree on laws on the basis of a Commission proposal, being further extended and becoming the 'ordinary legislative procedure' for European laws affecting some half a billion people. Little more one month later, the Parliament's powers regarding appointments began to be demonstrated. On 22 July, the European Parliament exercised its right to approve the person nominated by Council as next Commission President, José Manuel Barroso. In September and October it held hearings for the proposed members of the Commission. Indeed, this role received a very high degree of public attention. In the face of widespread opposition within the Parliament, in particular to the candidate proposed as Commissioner for Justice, Freedom and Security-the Italian nominee, Rocco Buttiglione-Mr Barroso did not at first alter the composition of the proposed College. In the end, however, he decided to ask for a postponement of the Parliament's planned vote of approval on 27 October. The new Commission could thus not take office on 1 November.

The current status of the Brexit negotiations, and the implications of Brexit for the United Kingdom and the European Union

Summary: 1. Introduction. – 2. The origins of Brexit and the outcome, so far, of the negotiations... more

The European Parliament

EU Policies and Priorities in a Post-Brexit Era

The EU after Brexit

This chapter looks at the possible impacts of Brexit on specific European Union (EU) policies and... more This chapter looks at the possible impacts of Brexit on specific European Union (EU) policies and priorities. It concludes that there are unlikely to be fundamental shifts. Policy areas such as development of the single market (notably the digital single market), further progress on the capital markets and banking unions, on the energy union and on fighting climate change, will continue to have broad support. Defence cooperation will be given a higher emphasis than before. Divisions will remain, however, in many areas, including the general direction of macroeconomic policy, the approximation of taxation, the extent of EU solidarity, practical measures to distribute the burden of migration, and the nature of EU foreign policy-in particular in its Eastern Neighbourhood, the Middle East and the Mediterranean. Keywords Budget and own resources • Economic and monetary policy Single market • Social policy and migration • Other EU internal policies EU external policies and enlargement Earlier chapters of this book have shown that there are some obvious institutional and other impacts of Brexit on the European Union (EU). The initial reactions within most EU member states and the EU institutions have been to defend the EU and its role and values, and to come up with a common stance on the Brexit negotiations. On the other hand, the future direction of travel of the EU is still very unclear. It is particularly difficult to predict the impact of Brexit on CHAPTER 8

The European Union today: some problems

The Sovereignty of Law

So far I have concentrated on some of the strengths of the European project. Now I should like to... more So far I have concentrated on some of the strengths of the European project. Now I should like to look at some of the concerns that have been expressed, and some of the questions that arise. I will take three: loss of sovereignty, excessive regulation and over-ambition. All have some relation to the overall theme of the rule of law. The loss of sovereignty The concern over loss of sovereignty has, I suggest, some dubious aspects, but others which are better founded. The notion of the sovereign State is outmoded. It has been replaced, I would suggest, by two main ideas. First, there is now, and increasingly, an allocation of powers, which are divided, in different realms, among different levels of government: local, national, regional, global. This is true, very obviously, in political terms, but it is also increasingly true in legal terms. In legal terms, the last word, on certain matters of international security, now rests with the United Nations Security Council; on many aspects of international trade, with the World Trade Organization and its Court (the ‘Appellate Body’). In Europe, the last word on human rights is often for the European Court of Human Rights; the last word on the European internal market is for the European Court of Justice. Second, the formerly sovereign States can effectively act jointly by sharing their powers.

Attitudes Within the 27 Member States on the Future of the EU in the Light of Brexit

The EU after Brexit

This chapter examines the attitudes of the 27 member states to the prospective UK departure from ... more This chapter examines the attitudes of the 27 member states to the prospective UK departure from the European Union (EU) and to the future of the EU, both in terms of the perspective of their governments and of their public opinion. It looks at the risks of the rise or reinforcement of home-grown populists or even of copycat referendums. It also asks whether other member states will seek to slow down or accelerate the process of European integration, or else to buttress the status quo. Finally, it considers some other sensitive issues, such as the balance between representative democracy and the use of referendums on EU matters and the interrelationships between the Brexit process and other challenges to the EU such as those posed by illiberalism in Hungary and Poland. Keywords EU governments attitudes to Brexit • EU public opinion and Brexit • Brexit contagion • Specific concerns of EU citizens Referendums on the EU • Future of the EU The Views wiThin eU MeMber sTaTes Towards The ProsPecT of brexiT The prospective UK departure from the European Union (EU) is regretted by the governments of most member states, for a variety of different reasons-many of which are often linked to aspects of the UK's legacy that were discussed above. CHAPTER 3 Attitudes Within the 27 Member States on the Future of the EU in the Light of Brexit

Keeping in Touch with National Societies

Palgrave Studies in European Union Politics, 2019

This chapter looks at the critical national dimension of an MEP’s role and at some of the factors... more This chapter looks at the critical national dimension of an MEP’s role and at some of the factors that condition the differences from one country to another. It begins by examining MEPs’ relations with their own national governments as well as with regional and local governments. It goes on to examine the sometimes difficult relations with national parliaments and with the MEP’s own national party. The last part of the chapter looks at how MEPs work within their constituency and their links with civil society and with concerned interest groups.

EU Policies and Priorities in a Post-Brexit Era

This chapter looks at the possible impacts of Brexit on specific European Union (EU) policies and... more This chapter looks at the possible impacts of Brexit on specific European Union (EU) policies and priorities. It concludes that there are unlikely to be fundamental shifts. Policy areas such as development of the single market (notably the digital single market), further progress on the capital markets and banking unions, on the energy union and on fighting climate change, will continue to have broad support. Defence cooperation will be given a higher emphasis than before. Divisions will remain, however, in many areas, including the general direction of macro-economic policy, the approximation of taxation, the extent of EU solidarity, practical measures to distribute the burden of migration, and the nature of EU foreign policy—in particular in its Eastern Neighbourhood, the Middle East and the Mediterranean.

Development of the European Parliaments's Powers: An Incomplete Agenda?

From the Single European Act to the Amsterdam Treaty, successive IGCs led to a continuous increas... more From the Single European Act to the Amsterdam Treaty, successive IGCs led to a continuous increase in the European Parliament's (EP's) powers. In the Nice Treaty, little further progress was made for the Parliament. Have the EP's powers now reached a high water mark, or is there still a substantial agenda to complete? This paper looks briefly at the development of the European Parliament's powers, and then at the gaps that still remain (notably the need for an extension of codecision, a reform in the comitology system, budgetary equality, a strengthened role in EU nominations, and reinforced EP powers in the field of international trade, and as regards other international agreements). The paper argues that it is important that these gaps be filled in the current negotiations stemming from the Convention, but that it will then be time for the EP to move on to a new era, away from a primary emphasis on an institutional agenda and towards a new emphasis on more thorough...

Institutional dynamics after Nice: View from the European Parliament

The first part [of the present paper] seeks to put the openness debate in context, by examining t... more The first part [of the present paper] seeks to put the openness debate in context, by examining the different facets of openness and transparency, the important roles of European Parliament, the Ombudsman, the European Court of Justice and citizens groups in helping to promote greater openness, as well as the differing approaches to openness and transparency within Member States. The second part of the paper outlines the progressive extension of openness and transparency within EU in recent years, including the development of a formal Treaty base and the evolving situation within the various EU institutions and bodies, notably the establishment of new codes of conduct on public access to their documents. The final section of the paper reviews the present state of openness and transparency within EU, and the areas where insufficient progress has been made. In particular, it reviews the recent debate on the implementing rules on public access to the documents of the Parliament, Commis...

“Nominations and Appointments: An Evolving EU Model”

The purpose of the present paper is to examine this evolving model for nominations and appointmen... more The purpose of the present paper is to examine this evolving model for nominations and appointments. The first part of the paper recalls the initial EU model for appointments and how it worked in practice. The second section looks at the new role that has been given to the European Parliament as regards nominations in recent years, and the ways in which it has chosen to build on its new powers. The final part of the paper looks at some of the likely demands for changes in the future.

Western European political parties : a comprehensive guide

In this reference work factual data is combined with an analysis of all Western European politica... more In this reference work factual data is combined with an analysis of all Western European political parties. Parties are grouped on a country-by-country basis, with an analytical introductory section describing the national political context in each country. Both EC and non-EC countries are covered. The reference data covers: contact information, leadership, membership, history, level and character of electoral support, organizational structure, policies and personalities. There is also a section providing similar treatment for international party groupings.

The Cultural Impacts of Brexit

This chapter examines the cultural aspects of Brexit. The most obvious such aspect is the likely ... more This chapter examines the cultural aspects of Brexit. The most obvious such aspect is the likely impact on the European Union’s (EU) language regime. English has steadily replaced French as the most used working language within the EU and this chapter concludes that this is unlikely to be affected by Brexit, and that English might even be seen in future as a more neutral “lingua franca”. In addition to the linguistic aspect, wider cultural aspects of Brexit are also considered in the chapter. So, for example, the UK has helped to shape certain EU working practices and procedures, such as question time in EP plenaries, impact assessments on legislation and other aspects of better regulation. The UK has also influenced EU attitudes on such matters as lobbying, codes of conduct and openness of meetings.

The Impacts on the European Parliament of a Changing EU

Attitudes Within the 27 Member States on the Future of the EU in the Light of Brexit

This chapter examines the attitudes of the 27 member states to the prospective UK departure from ... more This chapter examines the attitudes of the 27 member states to the prospective UK departure from the European Union (EU) and to the future of the EU, both in terms of the perspective of their governments and of their public opinion. It looks at the risks of the rise or reinforcement of home-grown populists or even of copycat referendums. It also asks whether other member states will seek to slow down or accelerate the process of European integration, or else to buttress the status quo. Finally, it considers some other sensitive issues, such as the balance between representative democracy and the use of referendums on EU matters and the interrelationships between the Brexit process and other challenges to the EU such as those posed by illiberalism in Hungary and Poland.

The Potential Institutional Impacts of Brexit

This chapter reviews the institutional implications of Brexit. Amongst the matters it examines ar... more This chapter reviews the institutional implications of Brexit. Amongst the matters it examines are the potential impacts on Qualified Majority Voting (QMV) voting in the Council and European Council, and the altered composition of the European Parliament and the knock-on effects of Brexit on the EP political groups. The chapter also looks at the wider question of potential changes in the balance of power in an European Union (EU) of 27 member states and whether any EU Treaty changes will be required in the aftermath of Brexit and, if so, whether they can be successfully ratified.

Will the EU Become Stronger or Weaker or Even Disintegrate as a Result of Brexit

This chapter poses the fundamental question of whether the European Union (EU) is likely to be st... more This chapter poses the fundamental question of whether the European Union (EU) is likely to be strengthened by the departure of its most awkward member, or else be greatly weakened and potentially even collapse. To answer this question, the chapter first reviews the ways in which the EU has developed in the past, and argues that the ensuing “sui generis” structure, with its mix of supranationalism and inter-governmentalism, has never been properly understood within the UK. The chapter concludes that a weakening of the EU is more plausible than a major new advance in EU integration but that neither a federal Europe nor the collapse of the EU look very likely at present. An updated narrative for the EU will, however, be required.

The Challenges Ahead

Besides the challenge of Brexit, with all its implications discussed earlier in this book, the Eu... more Besides the challenge of Brexit, with all its implications discussed earlier in this book, the European Union (EU) 27 is faced with a whole series of wider challenges, in particular those relating to its leadership and governance, the democratic accountability of the EU, the ways in which the EU is communicated to its citizens, the ways in which its values are defended, and the need to reinvigorate EU solidarity. This concluding chapter reviews each of these challenges. So far, the EU has successfully held together in the face of Brexit and indeed its economic prospects have improved since 2016. Whether it can now move beyond this and develop new energy and a clearer strategic vision is very much an open question.

The European Parliament

IGC 2000: Challenges for the European Parliament

Ready for the Future? The Impact of Enlargement on the European Parliament

EIPAScope, 2004

Constitution is ratified, the EP's legislative and budgetary powers will be further reinforced, w... more Constitution is ratified, the EP's legislative and budgetary powers will be further reinforced, with, in particular, 'codecision', by which Parliament and Council must agree on laws on the basis of a Commission proposal, being further extended and becoming the 'ordinary legislative procedure' for European laws affecting some half a billion people. Little more one month later, the Parliament's powers regarding appointments began to be demonstrated. On 22 July, the European Parliament exercised its right to approve the person nominated by Council as next Commission President, José Manuel Barroso. In September and October it held hearings for the proposed members of the Commission. Indeed, this role received a very high degree of public attention. In the face of widespread opposition within the Parliament, in particular to the candidate proposed as Commissioner for Justice, Freedom and Security-the Italian nominee, Rocco Buttiglione-Mr Barroso did not at first alter the composition of the proposed College. In the end, however, he decided to ask for a postponement of the Parliament's planned vote of approval on 27 October. The new Commission could thus not take office on 1 November.

The current status of the Brexit negotiations, and the implications of Brexit for the United Kingdom and the European Union

Summary: 1. Introduction. – 2. The origins of Brexit and the outcome, so far, of the negotiations... more

The European Parliament

EU Policies and Priorities in a Post-Brexit Era

The EU after Brexit

This chapter looks at the possible impacts of Brexit on specific European Union (EU) policies and... more This chapter looks at the possible impacts of Brexit on specific European Union (EU) policies and priorities. It concludes that there are unlikely to be fundamental shifts. Policy areas such as development of the single market (notably the digital single market), further progress on the capital markets and banking unions, on the energy union and on fighting climate change, will continue to have broad support. Defence cooperation will be given a higher emphasis than before. Divisions will remain, however, in many areas, including the general direction of macroeconomic policy, the approximation of taxation, the extent of EU solidarity, practical measures to distribute the burden of migration, and the nature of EU foreign policy-in particular in its Eastern Neighbourhood, the Middle East and the Mediterranean. Keywords Budget and own resources • Economic and monetary policy Single market • Social policy and migration • Other EU internal policies EU external policies and enlargement Earlier chapters of this book have shown that there are some obvious institutional and other impacts of Brexit on the European Union (EU). The initial reactions within most EU member states and the EU institutions have been to defend the EU and its role and values, and to come up with a common stance on the Brexit negotiations. On the other hand, the future direction of travel of the EU is still very unclear. It is particularly difficult to predict the impact of Brexit on CHAPTER 8

The European Union today: some problems

The Sovereignty of Law

So far I have concentrated on some of the strengths of the European project. Now I should like to... more So far I have concentrated on some of the strengths of the European project. Now I should like to look at some of the concerns that have been expressed, and some of the questions that arise. I will take three: loss of sovereignty, excessive regulation and over-ambition. All have some relation to the overall theme of the rule of law. The loss of sovereignty The concern over loss of sovereignty has, I suggest, some dubious aspects, but others which are better founded. The notion of the sovereign State is outmoded. It has been replaced, I would suggest, by two main ideas. First, there is now, and increasingly, an allocation of powers, which are divided, in different realms, among different levels of government: local, national, regional, global. This is true, very obviously, in political terms, but it is also increasingly true in legal terms. In legal terms, the last word, on certain matters of international security, now rests with the United Nations Security Council; on many aspects of international trade, with the World Trade Organization and its Court (the ‘Appellate Body’). In Europe, the last word on human rights is often for the European Court of Human Rights; the last word on the European internal market is for the European Court of Justice. Second, the formerly sovereign States can effectively act jointly by sharing their powers.

Attitudes Within the 27 Member States on the Future of the EU in the Light of Brexit

The EU after Brexit

This chapter examines the attitudes of the 27 member states to the prospective UK departure from ... more This chapter examines the attitudes of the 27 member states to the prospective UK departure from the European Union (EU) and to the future of the EU, both in terms of the perspective of their governments and of their public opinion. It looks at the risks of the rise or reinforcement of home-grown populists or even of copycat referendums. It also asks whether other member states will seek to slow down or accelerate the process of European integration, or else to buttress the status quo. Finally, it considers some other sensitive issues, such as the balance between representative democracy and the use of referendums on EU matters and the interrelationships between the Brexit process and other challenges to the EU such as those posed by illiberalism in Hungary and Poland. Keywords EU governments attitudes to Brexit • EU public opinion and Brexit • Brexit contagion • Specific concerns of EU citizens Referendums on the EU • Future of the EU The Views wiThin eU MeMber sTaTes Towards The ProsPecT of brexiT The prospective UK departure from the European Union (EU) is regretted by the governments of most member states, for a variety of different reasons-many of which are often linked to aspects of the UK's legacy that were discussed above. CHAPTER 3 Attitudes Within the 27 Member States on the Future of the EU in the Light of Brexit

Keeping in Touch with National Societies

Palgrave Studies in European Union Politics, 2019

This chapter looks at the critical national dimension of an MEP’s role and at some of the factors... more This chapter looks at the critical national dimension of an MEP’s role and at some of the factors that condition the differences from one country to another. It begins by examining MEPs’ relations with their own national governments as well as with regional and local governments. It goes on to examine the sometimes difficult relations with national parliaments and with the MEP’s own national party. The last part of the chapter looks at how MEPs work within their constituency and their links with civil society and with concerned interest groups.

EU Policies and Priorities in a Post-Brexit Era

This chapter looks at the possible impacts of Brexit on specific European Union (EU) policies and... more This chapter looks at the possible impacts of Brexit on specific European Union (EU) policies and priorities. It concludes that there are unlikely to be fundamental shifts. Policy areas such as development of the single market (notably the digital single market), further progress on the capital markets and banking unions, on the energy union and on fighting climate change, will continue to have broad support. Defence cooperation will be given a higher emphasis than before. Divisions will remain, however, in many areas, including the general direction of macro-economic policy, the approximation of taxation, the extent of EU solidarity, practical measures to distribute the burden of migration, and the nature of EU foreign policy—in particular in its Eastern Neighbourhood, the Middle East and the Mediterranean.

Development of the European Parliaments's Powers: An Incomplete Agenda?

From the Single European Act to the Amsterdam Treaty, successive IGCs led to a continuous increas... more From the Single European Act to the Amsterdam Treaty, successive IGCs led to a continuous increase in the European Parliament's (EP's) powers. In the Nice Treaty, little further progress was made for the Parliament. Have the EP's powers now reached a high water mark, or is there still a substantial agenda to complete? This paper looks briefly at the development of the European Parliament's powers, and then at the gaps that still remain (notably the need for an extension of codecision, a reform in the comitology system, budgetary equality, a strengthened role in EU nominations, and reinforced EP powers in the field of international trade, and as regards other international agreements). The paper argues that it is important that these gaps be filled in the current negotiations stemming from the Convention, but that it will then be time for the EP to move on to a new era, away from a primary emphasis on an institutional agenda and towards a new emphasis on more thorough...

Institutional dynamics after Nice: View from the European Parliament

The first part [of the present paper] seeks to put the openness debate in context, by examining t... more The first part [of the present paper] seeks to put the openness debate in context, by examining the different facets of openness and transparency, the important roles of European Parliament, the Ombudsman, the European Court of Justice and citizens groups in helping to promote greater openness, as well as the differing approaches to openness and transparency within Member States. The second part of the paper outlines the progressive extension of openness and transparency within EU in recent years, including the development of a formal Treaty base and the evolving situation within the various EU institutions and bodies, notably the establishment of new codes of conduct on public access to their documents. The final section of the paper reviews the present state of openness and transparency within EU, and the areas where insufficient progress has been made. In particular, it reviews the recent debate on the implementing rules on public access to the documents of the Parliament, Commis...

“Nominations and Appointments: An Evolving EU Model”

The purpose of the present paper is to examine this evolving model for nominations and appointmen... more The purpose of the present paper is to examine this evolving model for nominations and appointments. The first part of the paper recalls the initial EU model for appointments and how it worked in practice. The second section looks at the new role that has been given to the European Parliament as regards nominations in recent years, and the ways in which it has chosen to build on its new powers. The final part of the paper looks at some of the likely demands for changes in the future.

Western European political parties : a comprehensive guide

In this reference work factual data is combined with an analysis of all Western European politica... more In this reference work factual data is combined with an analysis of all Western European political parties. Parties are grouped on a country-by-country basis, with an analytical introductory section describing the national political context in each country. Both EC and non-EC countries are covered. The reference data covers: contact information, leadership, membership, history, level and character of electoral support, organizational structure, policies and personalities. There is also a section providing similar treatment for international party groupings.

The Cultural Impacts of Brexit

This chapter examines the cultural aspects of Brexit. The most obvious such aspect is the likely ... more This chapter examines the cultural aspects of Brexit. The most obvious such aspect is the likely impact on the European Union’s (EU) language regime. English has steadily replaced French as the most used working language within the EU and this chapter concludes that this is unlikely to be affected by Brexit, and that English might even be seen in future as a more neutral “lingua franca”. In addition to the linguistic aspect, wider cultural aspects of Brexit are also considered in the chapter. So, for example, the UK has helped to shape certain EU working practices and procedures, such as question time in EP plenaries, impact assessments on legislation and other aspects of better regulation. The UK has also influenced EU attitudes on such matters as lobbying, codes of conduct and openness of meetings.

The Impacts on the European Parliament of a Changing EU

Attitudes Within the 27 Member States on the Future of the EU in the Light of Brexit

This chapter examines the attitudes of the 27 member states to the prospective UK departure from ... more This chapter examines the attitudes of the 27 member states to the prospective UK departure from the European Union (EU) and to the future of the EU, both in terms of the perspective of their governments and of their public opinion. It looks at the risks of the rise or reinforcement of home-grown populists or even of copycat referendums. It also asks whether other member states will seek to slow down or accelerate the process of European integration, or else to buttress the status quo. Finally, it considers some other sensitive issues, such as the balance between representative democracy and the use of referendums on EU matters and the interrelationships between the Brexit process and other challenges to the EU such as those posed by illiberalism in Hungary and Poland.

The Potential Institutional Impacts of Brexit

This chapter reviews the institutional implications of Brexit. Amongst the matters it examines ar... more This chapter reviews the institutional implications of Brexit. Amongst the matters it examines are the potential impacts on Qualified Majority Voting (QMV) voting in the Council and European Council, and the altered composition of the European Parliament and the knock-on effects of Brexit on the EP political groups. The chapter also looks at the wider question of potential changes in the balance of power in an European Union (EU) of 27 member states and whether any EU Treaty changes will be required in the aftermath of Brexit and, if so, whether they can be successfully ratified.

Will the EU Become Stronger or Weaker or Even Disintegrate as a Result of Brexit

This chapter poses the fundamental question of whether the European Union (EU) is likely to be st... more This chapter poses the fundamental question of whether the European Union (EU) is likely to be strengthened by the departure of its most awkward member, or else be greatly weakened and potentially even collapse. To answer this question, the chapter first reviews the ways in which the EU has developed in the past, and argues that the ensuing “sui generis” structure, with its mix of supranationalism and inter-governmentalism, has never been properly understood within the UK. The chapter concludes that a weakening of the EU is more plausible than a major new advance in EU integration but that neither a federal Europe nor the collapse of the EU look very likely at present. An updated narrative for the EU will, however, be required.

The Challenges Ahead

Besides the challenge of Brexit, with all its implications discussed earlier in this book, the Eu... more Besides the challenge of Brexit, with all its implications discussed earlier in this book, the European Union (EU) 27 is faced with a whole series of wider challenges, in particular those relating to its leadership and governance, the democratic accountability of the EU, the ways in which the EU is communicated to its citizens, the ways in which its values are defended, and the need to reinvigorate EU solidarity. This concluding chapter reviews each of these challenges. So far, the EU has successfully held together in the face of Brexit and indeed its economic prospects have improved since 2016. Whether it can now move beyond this and develop new energy and a clearer strategic vision is very much an open question.