UE schimbă regulile pentru viitorii membri: 15 ani în care un stat nou ar putea pierde dreptul de vot și fondurile europene

The European Union is planning significant changes to the rules for future member states, introducing a special protection mechanism to prevent issues like those seen with Hungary. The European Commission proposed that future accession treaties include guarantees against violations of the rule of law and fundamental EU values, which could be applied for the first 15 years after a country's accession. In severe cases, new members might temporarily lose their voting rights in the EU Council and face suspension of certain funds. This mechanism aims to allow quicker responses to governments that violate EU rules post-accession. The proposal comes as the EU prepares for its most significant expansion in years, with countries like Montenegro, Albania, Moldova, and Ukraine as leading candidates. The Commission emphasizes the strategic importance of this expansion amid geopolitical shifts due to the war in Ukraine, suggesting gradual integration into various sectors before full membership.