Commission proposes sanctions mechanism for new EU members
The procedure would apply during the first 15 years of membership, with funding cuts and, for the gravest breaches, suspension of voting rights.
The European Commission has proposed an additional mechanism to sanction incoming EU members for serious breaches that disrupt the bloc’s functioning. It would remain available for 15 years following accession and cover violations involving EU values, rule-of-law standards and sincere cooperation.
Penalties would be proportionate to the breach, potentially reducing EU funding or, in the gravest cases, suspending voting rights. Either the Commission or several member countries could launch proceedings for a decision by the Council of the EU. Governments would determine the voting procedure, which the proposal leaves unspecified.
The mechanism would operate alongside Article 7, the treaty provision permitting the withdrawal of certain membership rights over violations of EU values. The Commission argues that Hungary’s experience demonstrates the procedure’s slowness and inconsistent effectiveness. It also proposes extending existing accession safeguards beyond their previous three-year limit, without specifying a replacement duration.
Future accession treaties would also contain a commitment against using unanimity requirements to block enlargement because of bilateral disputes. Parts of the package need approval from member states, but the Commission plans to include safeguards in its draft EU position for Montenegro’s final negotiating chapter in early November.
The package also envisages earlier access for candidates to selected EU programmes and policies, including Erasmus+, Horizon Europe and parts of the single market. Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos said this would complement rather than replace full membership. An enhanced option would depend on rule-of-law compliance and strategic alignment with Brussels, with the assessment of that alignment still undefined.
The Commission also seeks wider annual rule-of-law reporting on candidates and pre-accession tests of enforcement capabilities, procurement procedures, independent audits and anti-fraud capacity. The gravest problems could lead to accession being delayed.
