Brexit on Steroids: Route for Scotland's Accession to the EU

Yıl 2021, Sayı: 9, 19 - 23, 01.07.2021

Ayşe Tuğçe Samsun

Öz

The victory of the Scottish National Party (SNP) after the election held in May poses questions for the U.K and for another old acquaintance: the EU. Since Nicola Sturgeon and Scottish Greens are determined to move Scotland back to the Union, substantial issues are waiting to be solved, such as the third requirement of Copenhagen Criteria and potential border adjustments. However, before moving on with the accession process, the principal hurdle SNP is confronting is the second independence vote which the UK has -so far- succeeded to resist. Hence, while the UK is trying to protect the integrity of the Kingdom, Sturgeon is seeking the perfect time to bring citizens to the ballot boxes. If both parties reach a consensus with regards to the future of Scotland, this also amounts to the zero-sum game in which one will consolidate the power she maintained, whereas the other will lose her credibility. Although Boris Johnson is ardently against such a referendum and is afraid of a similar trend that might occur in Northern Ireland, considering the potential triggering effect that may come off on the pro-independence movement, sometimes it is better to let it happen and hope for the best.

Kaynakça

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