Enlargement and rule of law

lessons from the past, reforms for the future

Abstract

After years of stagnation, enlargement is back on the European Union agenda, but challenges persist both within candidate states and in the Union itself. This paper examines the evolving role of the rule of law in the European Union’s enlargement process, with a focus on both internal and external mechanisms aimed at ensuring adherence to this fundamental value. It concludes that, internally, reforming Article 7 of the Treaty on European Union and extending budgetary conditionality is essential for the Union to confidently cope with enlargements. Externally, providing a more coherent, firm, and credible political direction is the most crucial action to undertake.