EU considers tighter accession safeguards after proposal by five member states

Germany, France, the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg issued a joint document calling for the European Union to discuss temporary restrictions on certain voting rights for future member states and to introduce stronger rule‑of‑law guarantees. The proposal cites concerns over democratic backsliding, such as the situation in Hungary, and suggests a new monitoring mechanism and a safeguard clause that would allow action if serious regressions in democracy or press freedom occur.

The move comes as candidate countries—including Montenegro, which aims to join in 2028, as well as Albania, Ukraine and Moldova—press for progress on their accession pathways. The five countries urged the EU to conduct an in‑depth discussion on the possibility of “temporary, transitional restrictions on voting rights for new member states.”