Five EU States Seek to Limit New Members' Voting Rights

Five EU member states are proposing that newly joined countries should temporarily be denied voting rights in budgetary, security and foreign policy decisions. The proposal has been put forward by Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg and the Netherlands at a time when enlargement is back on the agenda in Brussels, according to Euractiv.

The measure is intended to be transitional and, its supporters argue, would prevent enlargement from undermining the EU's ability to make strategic decisions. Candidate countries that could be affected include Ukraine, Moldova, Albania and Montenegro, currently considered one of the most advanced candidates for membership.

The document also proposes a stricter safeguard clause that would allow the EU to intervene if a new member state backslides on democracy, the rule of law or media freedom after accession. It also includes provision for action against behavior contrary to the principle of loyal cooperation between member states.

Experts see the proposal as a response to experience with some current members, in particular longstanding disputes with Hungary and past difficulties over respect for European standards. Supporters argue that enlargement must strengthen the EU rather than complicate its functioning.

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