The European Commission is reportedly preparing proposals to reduce reliance on unanimity and introduce stronger rule-of-law safeguards as the EU prepares for future enlargement. According to draft documents seen by Rapporteur, the Commission may propose using existing passerelle clauses to extend qualified-majority voting to intermediate stages of accession negotiations and policy areas including sanctions, human rights, defence, security and tax evasion, without amending the EU treaties. Unanimity would remain necessary for opening and concluding accession negotiations, while an “emergency brake” could allow governments to intervene where vital national interests are at stake. The drafts also envisage time-limited safeguards for new members, potentially including closer scrutiny, financial penalties and suspension of Council voting rights in cases of democratic or judicial backsliding. Acceding countries could additionally be required to commit temporarily not to block decisions supported by the rest of the Union and to join the European Public Prosecutor’s Office before accession. Another proposal would reduce the number of European Commissioners once the Union expands, although this is expected to face strong resistance, particularly from smaller Member States. Read more here.
Source: Rapporteur
