In the European Union, the possibility of changing the accession rules for future member states is being considered. Germany, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg have proposed introducing temporary restrictions on certain voting rights for new states, as well as strengthening oversight of compliance with the rule of law.
Source: “Bukvy”
The initiative comes amid active discussions on further EU enlargement. Montenegro plans to join the European Union by 2028, while Ukraine, Moldova, and Albania are seeking to accelerate the negotiation process.
The countries behind the proposal argue that before a new wave of enlargement, the EU must strengthen its internal resilience and protect itself from potential political blockages within the bloc. This concerns, in particular, areas such as the budget, foreign policy, and enlargement, where decisions are made unanimously.
The document proposes discussing the introduction of a transition period during which new EU members could have limited voting rights on certain sensitive issues.
“The EU should conduct an in-depth discussion on the possibility of temporary, transitional limitations of voting rights for new member states, particularly in parts of the EU acquis where unanimity is required,” the position of the five countries states.
It also proposes strengthening mechanisms for protecting the rule of law. This includes new safeguards in case of backsliding in democratic standards, media freedom, or institutional independence, including enhanced monitoring and special response mechanisms.
The initiative is partly linked to the EU’s experience with Hungary, where Brussels has repeatedly criticized the situation regarding democratic institutions and the rule of law.
The proposals are not final yet. They will be discussed by EU member states, after which possible changes could be included in future accession treaties for new countries.