Key facts
- Germany, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg proposed temporary limitations on voting rights for future EU members.
- The proposal includes creating stronger rule-of-law safeguards.
Germany, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg have proposed temporary limits on voting rights and stronger rule-of-law safeguards for future EU members. The paper suggests new monitoring mechanisms and clauses to address democratic backsliding.
The proposal reflects a growing concern among some EU members about the potential impact of new members on the bloc's decision-making processes and adherence to democratic principles, potentially shaping the future dynamics of EU enlargement.
BRUSSELS, June 9 (Reuters) - Germany, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg have put forward a joint paper suggesting the European Union should consider temporary limitations on the voting rights of future member states and implement stronger rule-of-law safeguards. The proposal comes as countries like Ukraine, Moldova, and Montenegro are seeking to join the bloc, prompting discussions among existing members about potential changes to accession rules.
The paper, seen by Reuters, outlines options that could be incorporated into future accession treaties. These include a new monitoring mechanism and a safeguard clause designed to allow measures to be taken in cases of significant democratic backsliding, particularly concerning democracy and media freedom. The five nations cited the experience with democratic backsliding in Hungary under former Prime Minister Viktor Orban as a reason for these proposed safeguards.
The countries specifically suggested that transitional limitations on voting rights could be applied in areas requiring unanimity, such as decisions on enlargement, foreign policy, and the EU budget. This measure aims to mitigate potential issues arising from new members having full voting power in critical policy areas.