A proposal to amend the rules for EU membership would allow new members to join without full voting rights, facilitating the expansion of the European bloc.

A proposal to amend the rules for joining the European Union is under preliminary discussion, aiming for new members to obtain full rights only after a review of the functioning of the EU. This initiative, supported by pro-expansion governments such as Austria and Sweden, also aims to unblock the expansion process, affected by the fears of some states, such as Hungary, which oppose the accession of countries like Ukraine. According to the proposal, new countries could join without veto power, thus facilitating their integration into the EU without requiring changes to existing treaties.

This approach would allow countries on the path to accession, such as Ukraine and Moldova, to benefit from the advantages of the EU, but without having the power to block decisions. Despite the support for expansion, the internal divisions of the EU and the opposition to the removal of the veto right complicate the process. Frustration is growing among candidate states, which have made reforms but have not advanced in the accession process. European leaders recognize that expansion is a strategic priority, especially in the context of Russian threats, but they face internal opposition that hinders progress.