European Commission Proposes Reforms To Prepare Bloc For New Member States

The European Commission adopted a package of policy reviews on preparing for a wider union, putting forward structural reforms to absorb future members. European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos presented the proposals to the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

The Commission recommended adapting governance, budgets, and policies within existing European Union treaties instead of waiting for treaty revisions. It proposed a 15-year probationary safeguard mechanism for new members after accession.

Under the mechanism, existing members could suspend a newcomer's Council voting rights or funding if it violates democratic values or rule of law. A qualified majority of 15 of the 27 member states, representing 65 percent of the population, could trigger the suspension.

The plans introduce tailored transitional arrangements in accession treaties. These include time-limited safeguards on the free movement of workers, single-market rules, and limits on financial support for Ukraine's farm sector.

To prevent institutional gridlock, the Commission suggested using treaty passerelle clauses. These clauses would shift decisions from unanimity to qualified majority voting in areas such as sanctions, tax fraud, and energy taxation.

The Commission urged member states to use constructive abstention rather than vetoes in foreign and security policy. It also outlined a gradual integration framework for candidate countries in energy, transport, digital markets, and defense before full accession.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said expanding the bloc is a geopolitical imperative that requires aligning institutions and budgets. Kos said the EU does not want a two-tier membership, but noted that faster tools are needed to protect decision-making from disruption.

Kos pointed to previous governance challenges involving former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. She warned that failing to integrate neighboring countries would allow rivals such as Russia and China to weaponize them against the bloc.

Enlargement gained momentum following Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Montenegro leads current accession negotiations, alongside Albania, Moldova, and Ukraine, while existing members have voiced worries about agricultural spending and cohesion funding.

EU leaders will discuss the proposals at the European Council summit in October. Any changes, transitional rules, and accession treaties require unanimous approval from all 27 member states. The Commission is also scheduled to present indicative roadmaps for four candidate countries in 2026.