The European Commission has proposed a 15-year probation period for future EU member states, with countries potentially facing the loss of voting rights or funding if they breach democratic standards.
The plan, outlined by European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos, is designed to give the bloc faster tools to respond if a newly admitted country undermines the rule of law, democracy or the EU’s principle of sincere cooperation. Kos explicitly invoked the former Hungarian prime minister, saying:
“No more Viktor Orbán.”
The proposals would still require approval from the member states before they could take effect.
Faster sanctions than Article 7
Under the current system, Article 7 of the EU treaties can ultimately suspend a member state’s voting rights following a serious and persistent breach of the bloc’s fundamental values. However, the procedure has never reached that ultimate sanction. Previous efforts to address democratic backsliding in Hungary and Poland were complicated by the countries’ ability to support one another politically.
Kos said the European Union therefore needs quicker mechanisms to deal with potential violations by future members. Under her proposal, the threshold for imposing measures such as suspending voting rights would be lower. The safeguards could also involve withholding funds from a country that breaches democratic principles or fails to uphold its obligations to the bloc.
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Why is the EU considering the change?
The proposal comes as EU enlargement gains new momentum, particularly in eastern Europe and the western Balkans. Montenegro, Albania, Moldova and Ukraine are among the countries regarded as frontrunners in the current enlargement process. Ukraine and Moldova applied for membership shortly after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, giving fresh impetus to a process that had previously stalled.
As The Guardian reported, he Commission sees enlargement not only as an institutional project but also as a strategic issue. Kos has pointed to competition for influence from Russia and China in countries seeking closer ties with the bloc.
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Safeguards would not be permanent
Kos acknowledged that the proposed probation system would eventually expire. She argued that making the restrictions permanent could create a situation in which some countries were effectively treated as second-class members. The proposed 15-year period would therefore be intended as a temporary safeguard while new members establish themselves within the bloc.
The debate comes as the European Union also considers other ways of preventing future enlargement from creating institutional gridlock, including temporary restrictions on new members’ veto powers. For the proposal to become reality, all existing member states would ultimately have to agree to the changes, meaning the safeguards themselves are likely to become part of the wider political debate over the bloc’s next phase of enlargement.
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Fantastic idea. Orban is a Russian agent. He did great damage to European security.
Amazing how Orban continues living rent-free in so many people’s empty heads.
Anyone is disliked by what is the most anti-democratic and corrupt institution maybe in the entire world is by definition a good guy.
Amazing how Orban himself said he would not take Hungary out of what you call “the most anti-democratic and corrupt institution”. Logic always has a way of exposing the BS. Hungary needs the EU. It’s bureaucracy could use some reform but if anything it serves to keep the member states from sliding into despotism.
I guess one can say EU is un-democratic as one authoritarian ruled, financially non-contributing member state can veto so many important decision that the majority of members support. Less veto possibilities for a single member states would make EU more democratic.
Authoritarians and dictators always need “enemies” to justify their claim to power.
EU and Brussels was one of the bogeymen that allowed Orban & Fidesz to stay in power, while enriching themselvesand cronies with EUs and Hungarian citizens money.
Dismal economic performance was the result, despite selling out to Russia for personal greed.
Where would Hungary be today without the EU?