The European Commission’s 2025 Communication on EU Enlargement Policy confirms that the accession process is moving faster for some candidates, making enlargement a “realistic possibility” in the coming years. However, a deep dive into the report’s findings on the “Fundamentals” — Rule of Law, democratic institutions, and fundamental rights—reveals significant and persistent challenges that directly impact civil society and should serve as an urgent call to action.
The Rule of Law and Democracy at the Core
The report strongly reiterates that the revised enlargement methodology places the fundamentals and values of the EU firmly at the heart of the accession process. Progress on the ground must be credible and irreversible, as this is essential for citizens to enjoy their fundamental rights and secure their country’s path to accession.
While some countries, such as Montenegro, Albania, Moldova, and Ukraine, have made specific progress on reforms related to the fundamentals, the overall picture is mixed, with the report stressing that issues of polarization, limited parliamentary oversight, and weak public consultation frameworks continue to hamper democratic processes across several enlargement countries.
Alarming Trends: Shrinking Civic Space and SLAPPs
For civil society organisations (CSOs), the Communication raises serious alarms about a shrinking civic space and persistent operational hurdles in many parts of the region:
Restrictive Laws and Intimidation: The introduction of restrictive laws and the use of Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) are flagged as raising serious concerns about the ability of civil society to operate freely.
Chilling Effect in Serbia and Türkiye: In Serbia, arrests and coercive measures against protesters, coupled with pressure on civil society and public smear campaigns by high-level officials, are noted as having a “chilling effect.” Similarly, in Türkiye, civic space has further shrunk due to sustained judicial and administrative pressures.
Media Freedom Under Attack: The media sector is broadly exposed to Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI) and marked by political influence. Worryingly, the intimidation of journalists, including through SLAPPs, threats, and physical attacks, increased in several countries, leading to backsliding in Serbia and Türkiye.
Institutional Weaknesses and the Need for Partnership
Beyond political and legal restrictions, the report identifies core systemic issues that prevent civil society from engaging effectively:
Lack of Meaningful Consultation: While many countries have legal frameworks for an enabling environment, implementation lags. Persistent issues include limited funding from national authorities and the lack of meaningful consultations with CSOs.
State Capture and High-Level Corruption: The pervasive risk of state capture and the disproportionate influence of vested interests over political and public spheres, particularly noted in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, and Türkiye, severely undermines the Rule of Law and economic development.
Need for an Enabling Environment: The Commission explicitly states that further efforts are needed in “creating and safeguarding an enabling environment for investigative journalism and civil society” as a vital part of the anti-corruption and Rule of Law track record.
BCSDN warns that this ambitious political agenda is critically undermined by the current state of democracy support. Our latest research, detailed in the 2025 Donor Report, exposes a dangerous fragility in the very civic space required to drive and monitor these essential reforms.
BCSDN’s in-depth analysis on the 2025 EU Enlargement Report and its correlation with the civic space and donor practices will be available shortly.