Forging Unity: European Commission Leadership in the Brexit Negotiations

被引:27
作者
Schuette, Leonard August [1 ]
机构
[1] Maastricht Univ, Dept Polit Sci, Grote Gracht 90-92, NL-6221 SZ Maastricht, Netherlands
基金
欧洲研究理事会;
关键词
Brexit; European Commission; EU institutions; leadership; negotiations; INTEGRATION; POLITICIZATION; POWERS;
D O I
10.1111/jcms.13171
中图分类号
F [经济];
学科分类号
02 ;
摘要
This article explains why the European Union has remained strikingly cohesive during the Brexit withdrawal negotiations by focussing on the role played by its negotiator: the European Commission''s Task Force 50. The analysis demonstrates that the Task Force 50 set out to forge unity among the EU27 by exercising both subtle instrumental and direct political leadership. The Commission significantly influenced the outcome of the negotiations by shaping the agenda and process, brokering deals, and ultimately achieving a withdrawal agreement that all member states signed up to. Its transparent and consultative behaviour generated trust among member states, which allowed the Commission to play such a prominent role. These findings challenge the prevailing view that the EU has become increasingly intergovernmental at expense of the Commission. Drawing on original interviews, the article substantiates this argument by tracing the Commission's leadership activities in the run-up to and throughout the withdrawal negotiations (2016-20).
引用
收藏
页码:1142 / 1159
页数:18
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