EU could deny new member states veto rights as bloc pushes for enlargement
Measure could ease concerns from countries – such as France – that are sceptical about bringing in more members
TL;DR
- The EU is considering a temporary ban on veto rights for new member states to ease enlargement.
- This measure aims to prevent single member states from blocking key EU decisions.
- Montenegro is a frontrunner for membership, with accession treaty negotiations entering final stages.
- Germany's Chancellor proposed "associate membership" for Ukraine, which Ukraine's president rejected.
- EU enlargement has gained urgency since Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
- Concerns exist about ratification in member states like France, where skepticism about enlargement is growing.
- Germany advocates for internal EU reforms, including abolishing vetoes in foreign policy, to manage a larger bloc.
- A temporary block on veto powers is seen as a way to "waterproof" the union from hypothetical future situations.