Having our cake and eating it too? European Union and Czechia getting ready for enlargement
Pavlína Janebová
/ Ed. 13. 9. 2024
The evolving geopolitical landscape pushes the EU to bolster its internal efficiency and cohesion, both within its borders and in relation to international partners. This environment has also triggered a reevaluation of the EU’s enlargement strategy, now seen as a geopolitical necessity. However, concerns are mounting over the EU’s capacity to function effectively with the inclusion of up to ten new members.
The policy paper highlights current challenges in the EU decision-making and safeguarding the rule of law across the bloc, and argues that strengthening these mechanisms is critical to the Union’s resilience in a competitive global setting. Moreover, the paper emphasizes that these reforms are essential for ensuring the success of future enlargements. It posits that the accession of new members will demand significant institutional adjustments, including reforms to the voting system in the Council of the EU and changes to the European Parliament and European Commission.
Finally, the paper calls for a deeper and more nuanced debate within Czechia, asserting that simplistic views on veto rights and influence overlook the broader challenges and opportunities posed by an expanding Union.
The publication was supported by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom.
