Key facts
- The EU is developing safeguards for future member states.
- These safeguards aim to ensure adherence to reforms.
- The measures are designed to prevent new members from obstructing the bloc.
- National capitals will gain power to block budget payments.
- Budget payments can be blocked for failing to uphold democratic standards.
- Democratic standards include judicial and media freedoms.
- The EU budget amounts to €2 trillion.
- Lessons are being drawn from past enlargement challenges.
The European Union is in the process of developing new safeguards aimed at ensuring that future member states adhere to reforms and do not obstruct the bloc's functioning after joining. These measures are intended to "bite hard" if new members fail to follow established rules, a strategy informed by past challenges encountered during previous enlargements.
Drawing on these experiences, national capitals within the EU will soon gain the authority to block payments from the bloc's substantial €2 trillion budget. This power will be directed towards member states that are found to be failing in their adherence to democratic standards. The scope of these democratic standards includes, but is not limited to, the upholding of judicial independence and media freedoms.
Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos has indicated that these safeguards are being created to address potential backsliding and to ensure the continued cohesion and adherence to core values within an expanding EU. The intention is to provide a mechanism that can effectively penalize non-compliance and deter future breaches of democratic norms and rule of law principles among member states.