Thread by @BrigidLaffan

As the below piece from @ChathamHouse is called an ‘expert’ piece then its claims are worth taking a look at @BrigidLaffan

https://twitter.com/anthonyzach/status/1450550700862287874

1. Let me begin where the article ends which is that law as a major tool of European integration may be coming to an end-inaccurate & not backed by evidence. Legislative programme around Green Deal alone major. @BrigidLaffan

2. Stylised account of ‘integration through law’ which was at its zenith during the single market early years & has not been the driver of EU integration for well over 15 years. Politicisation has happened. @BrigidLaffan

3. Treatment of what is happening in Poland is extraordinary. Although the piece acknowledges that there are important differences between the BfG judgements & what is happening in Poland, the piece is arguing that there is a generalised counter-revolution. @BrigidLaffan

4. Also very lazy labelling fo those who argue that the rule of law issues in Poland are fundamental & different. Dismissed as pro-Europeans -disrespectful to all those EU lawyers who know their stuff. Take on their arguments & stop labelling. @BrigidLaffan

5. Then there is an extraordinary claim which reads ‘institutions such as the ECJ have the final say about the quality of democracy in the member states’ -I would like some evidence of case law to back up this claim. @BrigidLaffan

6. Interestingly no concern at all re. the impact on the democratic fabric of Poland of the onslaught on the independence of the judiciary by an authoritarian government. @BrigidLaffan

7. To sum: law as a tool of EU public power will continue to be a major instrument. ‘Integration through law’ as dominant driver of integration ended some time ago. Union’s legal order is experiencing considerable turbulence & developments in Poland are the most serious