EU Enlargement- Is that still a thing?
By Margaux Baudry
If you feel like the EU enlargement has been stagnating for the past couple of years, it is because it has. Indeed, the last time the number of EU member states changed was when the UK withdrew in 2020. Before that, it was when Croatia joined the club in 2013. Enlargement is a natural phase of the process of European integration: the EU has been enlarging since its origin, and its expansion, for many, is considered one of the Union’s great successes.. Currently, seven states have been granted candidacy for the EU: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Türkiye and, last but not least, Ukraine. So, why is the process of enlargement at a standstill?
A Crisis of the “European Dream”
The EU has always had a simple goal: more Europe, more integration, more unity, but the original idea of an “ever closer union” is facing a setback. While challenges such as COVID-19 and the war in Ukraine have reinforced EU cooperation in certain areas, they have also strengthened national decision-making in domains such as border control and defense. This shift has intensified internal divisions, with some, particularly nationalist and Eurosceptic groups, pushing for a more decentralized EU.
At the heart of the problem is a simple but uncomfortable question: What is the EU’s long-term vision?
Internal Divisions and Leadership Void
Imagine trying to organize a group trip with 27 people, all with different budgets, interests, and deeply held grudges. Now imagine those 27 people are states, and the “trip” is deciding the future of the European Union. Welcome to Brussels!
The political landscape is more fragmented than ever, and weak coalition governments across Europe struggle to make even national decisions—let alone push for an expansion of the EU. France and Germany, traditionally the EU’s engine, are caught in their own domestic struggles, leaving the bloc without strong leadership.
Even if leaders wanted to push for enlargement, no unified vision of how to carry this out currently exists . Some see expansion as a geopolitical necessity, particularly in countering Russian influence. Others worry that more countries joining would further weaken decision-making efficiency, increase economic disparities, and create more internal conflicts. However, even if members did share the political will, the EU’s institutions simply aren’t prepared for new members as structural reforms would be needed first.
The Ukraine Factor and Politicization of Enlargement
Nothing has caused more resentment in the EU candidate waiting room than Ukraine’s fast-tracked application. While Ukraine’s candidacy has been expedited for political and security reasons, other candidate countries—some of whom have been waiting decades—view this as a sign of unfairness and shifting goalposts. Indeed, enlargement has become increasingly politicized within EU institutions, where debates focus more on political gains and power balances than economic and democratic readiness.
So… Is Enlargement Dead?
Not necessarily. While the process is slow and fraught with challenges, the EU remains officially committed to enlargement. However, unless major political and institutional shifts occur, candidate countries will likely continue to wait for years—if not decades—before gaining full membership.
