The European Commission is considering introducing a probationary period for new EU members with the potential suspension of their rights or even expulsion from the bloc if they violate democratic principles. The Financial Times reports.
The idea involves creating a mechanism that would allow a country to temporarily limit its participation in the work of EU institutions if it deviates from standards of the rule of law, media freedom or judicial independence.
The initiative arose against the backdrop of the resumption of the EU enlargement process, in particular for Ukraine, Moldova and the Western Balkans. The impetus was fears that new members could repeat the path of Hungary after accession, where the government of Viktor Orban systematically violates democratic norms.
"I do not want to be remembered as the commissioner who brought in Trojan horses that have been active for five, ten or fifteen years," the European Commissioner for Enlargement said.
The document being prepared by the European Commission calls for strengthening the guarantees of the rule of law and creating mechanisms to suspend the rights or privileges of a state if it systematically violates the values of the union. In case of repeated violations, even expulsion from the bloc may be applied.
Such an approach may cause concern in Kyiv and other candidate countries, which may consider it discriminatory.
As a reminder, the European Commission acknowledged the significant progress of Ukraine on its path to the European Union, but stressed the need to accelerate reforms.
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