Germany, France and Benelux propose limited voting rights for future EU members

A group of five EU member states – Germany, France, the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg – have drafted a non‑paper outlining a proposal to grant new accession states only limited voting rights during a transitional period after they join the bloc. The document suggests that newcomers would be excluded from voting on matters that require unanimity, such as further enlargement, common foreign and security policy, and the multi‑year financial framework, until they fully comply with the EU acquis.

The proposal also calls for the introduction of a special clause to safeguard the rule of law, allowing the EU to impose financial sanctions or suspend cooperation if a new member breaches democratic standards, media freedom or the rule of law. It recommends that participation in the European Public Prosecutor’s Office become a prerequisite for accession. Montenegro is identified as the only realistic candidate for the next enlargement round, and the draft marks the first time the EU has begun work on a new accession treaty since Croatia joined in 2013.

The authors argue that the changing geopolitical context calls for a flexible, case‑by‑case framework for future enlargements, combining protective measures with the possibility of tailored agreements for each candidate country.