While the idea of a European Union with more than 30 members is gaining ground, driven by a more geopolitical conception of enlargement (see EUROPE 13624/4), the crucial question of institutional reform remains open.
Sandro Gozi MEP (Renew Europe, Italian) presented a draft report on the institutional implications of this enlargement, which was discussed on Tuesday 24 June by the Committee on Constitutional Affairs (AFCO), in the presence of MEPs from the candidate countries.
In essence, the report argues that, without reform, the EU risks finding itself in an “impasse” and seeing its “functioning becoming unwieldy and ineffective”.
It points to a long-standing problem: the use of unanimous voting by Member States in the EU Council, “particularly when voting on issues relating to foreign affairs and enlargement”.
“Are we going to reduce the number of cases where unanimity is required to take a decision in the Council? Are we going to extend the cases where qualified majority voting is required? Are we going to think about a new way of qualifying the majority to ensure a better balance in a more diversified Union between large, medium-sized and small Member States?”, asked the rapporteur in committee.
Without wishing for a major revision of the treaties, which would be unfeasible in any case, Sandro Gozi and the Greens/EFA and Social Democrat shadow rapporteurs nevertheless believe that “specific and well-targeted changes” are “essential” to clearly address the future challenges of an enlarged EU, which would not be paralysed by the obstructions of a single Member State.
The report also proposes “observer status” for the candidate countries, which would enable them to be more proactively involved in the voting process. Several MEPs from these countries - Ukraine, Serbia and Montenegro - have voiced their support for the idea of seeing the EU reform itself in anticipation of their integration.
“Enlargement fatigue is very real”, warned a member of the Serbian parliament. A reform of the treaties would give a “boost” to the integration of the Western Balkans, which in some cases has been awaited for over twenty years.
Link to the report: https://aeur.eu/f/hja (Original version in French by Isalia Stieffatre)