Albertans will head to the polls in October for what has been referred to as a “referendum on a referendum”. They will be asked to choose between two options: should Alberta remain a province of Canada, or should
Nikos Skoutaris is an author and commentator specializing in constitutional law, federalism, and secession, with a focus on the legal and political dynamics within the United Kingdom, the European Union, and other federal systems. His work frequently addresses issues such as Scottish independence referendums, the legal frameworks governing secession, and the interplay between regional and supranational constitutional orders. He analyzes the constitutional competences of devolved governments, the role of judiciary in constitutional disputes, and the implications of political processes on national and EU law. His publications also explore historical and contemporary cases of self-determination and federal arrangements, providing legal perspectives on complex political questions.
Albertans will head to the polls in October for what has been referred to as a “referendum on a referendum”. They will be asked to choose between two options: should Alberta remain a province of Canada, or should…
This post summarises my recent article, ‘Accommodating Territorial Contestation and National Constitutional Change: The Cases of Cyprus and Ireland’, published in Irish Studies in International Affairs (Vol. 36, No. 2, 2025). I recently discussed the article with Rory Montgomery…
On 4th March 1861, President Lincoln in his inaugural speech declared that ‘[p]erpetuity is implied, if not expressed, in the fundamental law of all national governments.’ Just a month before the start of the American civil war, he…
Caro Diario (1993)In the opening scene of his film Caro Diario, Nanni Moretti goes for a ride with his Vespa on the outskirts of Rome. At some point, he stops at a traffic light and he informs the unsuspecting…
On Tuesday 28 June, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon addressed the Scottish Parliament about her plans for a second independence referendum. According to the proposed Bill, the referendum will take place on 19 October 2023. The announcement reopened the age-old debate about the…
The EU is taking legal action against the UK in response to the government’s plan to revise the Northern Ireland Protocol after the UK government released a bill proposing to unilaterally amend the legal mechanism that ensures smooth trade of…
The European Union has warned that it will “respond with all measures at its disposal” if the UK goes ahead with a plan to unilaterally rewrite the most contentious part of their Brexit agreement, sparking fear of a trade war.…