European Politics and Institutions
The European Politics and Institutions Programme covers the EU’s institutional architecture, governance and policymaking to ensure that it can move forward and respond to the challenges of the 21st century democratically and effectively. It also monitors and analyses political developments at the EU level and in the member states, discussing the key questions of how to involve European citizens in the discussions over the Union’s future and how to win their support for European integration. The Programme has a special focus on enlargement policy towards the Western Balkans, questions of EU institutional reform and illiberal trends in European democracies.
Montenegro is a test case for the EU’s ability to engage with the enlargement process in a different way within the framework of the current methodology and to demonstrate actual – not just rhetorical – commitment to the policy. Allowing Podgorica to join already, during the current politico-institutional cycle, could serve to restore the credibility of the membership perspective offered to the Balkans, further motivate reform in Ukraine and Moldova and prove that the EU is capable of responding effectively to the tectonic geopolitical shifts triggered by Russia’s war in Ukraine.
If Montenegro were to join the EU in the next few years, it would set a precedent for any potential entries thereafter, as well as for the future of enlargement policy. The EU should therefore make sure that Montenegro’s accession is a real success story for the EU, for the new member and for the enlargement dossier as a whole. To plan for such a win-win outcome, the EU and its members should properly prepare Montenegro’s accession with clear and detailed plans, which outline the steps to be taken both by Montenegro and the EU in the near future. Foreseeing a more active and substantive role for civil society involvement will be key to ensure that the process is transformative.
Eric Maurice was interviewed by Le Figaro on Macron's relationship with Brussels, specifically its fractured relationship with Ursula von der Leyen in these turbulent times.
Read it here.
