The EU's Response to Brexit: United and Effective

Description

This book is the first detailed analysis of how the EU responded to Brexit. It is an important reference point for future studies of the Brexit negotiations. The authors conducted in-depth interviews with key institutional players in Brussels and in several member states to document how the EU handled the first-ever exit of one of its members. The Brexit shock came at a time when the EU had barely recovered from the Euro crisis and was struggling to manage an unprecedented inflow of refugees. The immediate fear was that Brexit might be the final straw that broke the camel ’s back. Eurosceptics were jubilant, and Europhiles were distraught. In reality, the EU reacted to Brexit with resolve and a determination to protect the polity. The book argues that getting the process right was crucial. The EU mobilised its collective capacity to negotiate effectively and with one voice. Foreword Preface Acknowledgements Contents Abbreviations List of Figures List of Tables 1 Introduction: Responding to Brexit Brexit: The Straw That Breaks the Camel’s Back? The Puzzle: The EU’s United and Effective Response to Brexit Do Economic Interests Explain the EU’s Brexit Response? Explaining EU Unity and Effectiveness: Issue Framing and Institutional Capacity Issue Framing and Discursive Unity Creating the Collective Capacity for an Effective Response Effective Negotiations This Book’s Contribution References 2 Framing the Brexit Challenge Introduction Why Issue Framing Was Key to a United Response to Brexit Issue Framing: Defining the Problem and Suggesting Solution Framing Brexit: In the EU and in the UK The “New Settlement” Negotiations The “New Settlement” Narrative of the UK Government The “New Settlement” Narrative of the EU The Post-referendum Period: Making Sense of Brexit The Brexit Narrative of the UK Government The Brexit Narrative of the EU27 Conclusions References 3 Creating Institutional Capacity Introduction Temporary Organisational Settings The Command Centre The Institutional Ecology The Council The Commission The European Parliament Conclusions References 4 Building the EU’s Brexit Process Introduction Foundations: Article 50 and Procedural Arrangements Article 50: Follow the Rule Book! Procedural Arrangements: Broad Involvement and Clear Responsibilities Transparency and Institutional Coordination Transparency: Internal Glue and External Weapon Institutional Coordination: Mobilising Dispersed Capacity A Barnier Method? Conclusion References 5 Structuring the Negotiations Introduction Negotiation Strategies and Bargaining Resources Structuring the Negotiation Process Issue Linkages: Sequencing and Package Agreements Staying One Step Ahead Effective Communication: The Case of “Cherry Picking” Conclusion References 6 The Withdrawal Agreement I: ‘Sufficient Progress’ Introduction Starting Positions The Financial Settlement Citizens’ Rights The Irish Border Conclusions References 7 The Withdrawal Agreement II: Deal or No Deal? Introduction Scoping the Future Relationship Through the ‘Tunnel’ to a Deal? Brexit Postponed: In Search of a Parliamentary Majority Getting Brexit Done Conclusions References 8 The Trade and Cooperation Agreement Introduction Setting the Scene The EU’s Starting Position The UK’s Starting Position Slow Beginnings: Getting to June The Clock Ticks On: July to October Getting to Agreement: October to Christmas Eve Conclusions References 9 Brexit Is Far from Done: Implementation of the Agreements Introduction Implementing the Withdrawal Agreement Institutional Framework Dispute Resolution Mechanisms Transforming the WA into a Living Framework The Joint Committee: Rising Political Tensions The Specialised Committees Implementing the Trade and Cooperation Agreement Institutional Framework Dispute Resolution Mechanisms Transforming the TCA into a Living Treaty The Partnership Council The Trade Partnership Council and the Trade Specialised Committees The Specialised Committees Conclusions References 10 Conclusions: Process and Capacity Responding to Brexit: A United and Effective Process Strategic Myopia or Collective Power? Prospects for the Future Relationship References Epilogue References Index