Where the law stands, Dossier 2025/2041(INI)
Institutional consequences of the EU enlargement negotiations
Own-initiative report (INI): Parliament’s own position on a topic. It is not binding. · First reading
Parliament sets out its own position on a topic. The resolution is not binding but signals what Parliament wants.
Where it stands
Parliament’s position
Parliament adopted the text on 22 October 2025. This is its final position on the matter.
- Referred to committee(done) 13 February 2025
- Committee work(done) Report adopted 23 September 2025
- Tabled for plenary(done) 2 October 2025
- Plenary vote(done) Adopted 22 October 2025
- Parliament’s position(done) Final
Decided in plenary
22 October 2025 · decision 6
Foreign affairs, Resolution
Institutional consequences of the EU enlargement negotiations
Adopted 310 for · 277 against · 53 abstained by a small majority
AI summary:The text calls for a more efficient, faster, powerful, and democratic Union, including lifting vetoes, creating a European defence system, and empowering Parliament.
What changed
Latest Tabled for plenary → Adopted by Parliament
AI summary:The adopted text removes a call for specific Treaty reforms and reminders to the European Council, shifting focus away from institutional change proposals.
Committee draft → Tabled for plenary
AI summary:The report shifts emphasis from general geopolitical benefits to merit-based accession and economic convergence, adding detailed recitals on GDP growth and convergence. It drops calls for intergovernmental cooperation outside the Treaties and instead stresses Treaty-based reforms, including QMV and Article 7 changes. It adds new paragraphs on MFF governance, own resources, and the role of accession countries' parliaments, while removing some previous calls. It rephrases several paragraphs on institutional composition and decision-making, adding references to recent resolutions and Treaty articles. The other changes are formal or wording: minor rephrasing and updates to align with new positions.
Who works on it
- Lead committee
- Constitutional Affairs
- The MEP who drafts the report and negotiates it on behalf of the committee.
- Sandro Gozi (Renew)
- An MEP who follows a report on behalf of their own group when another group holds the rapporteur.
- Sebastião Bugalho (EPP), Marc Angel (S&D), Alexandre Varaut (Patriots), Patryk Jaki (ECR), Reinier van Lanschot (Greens), Anthony Smith (The Left)
The text, version by version
Newest first.
Adopted by Parliament· 22 Oct 2025
AI summary:Parliament's resolution on the institutional consequences of EU enlargement argues that enlargement is a geostrategic investment and that the EU must reform its institutions to remain efficient, powerful and democratic as it grows.
Tabled for plenary· 2 Oct 2025
AI summary:This resolution addresses the institutional consequences of EU enlargement, arguing that the EU must reform its institutions and decision-making to remain efficient, powerful, and democratic as new members join.
Committee draft· 6 Jun 2025
AI summary:This draft report on the institutional consequences of EU enlargement argues that enlargement is a strategic investment and that the EU must reform its institutions to remain efficient, powerful and democratic.
Timeline
Newest first.
Plenary stage 4 steps
22 October 2025
Plenary vote
Sitting of 22 Oct 2025 Report A10-0177/2025Adopted text TA10-0247/2025
21 October 2025
Debated in plenary
MEPs debated the text in the chamber ahead of the vote.
15 October 2025
2 amendments tabled for the plenary vote
Groups propose changes to the tabled text; each is voted on before the final vote.
2 October 2025
Report tabled for plenary
This is the text all MEPs vote on. Political groups can still table amendments to it.
Committee stage 4 steps
23 September 2025
Committee vote: report adopted
AFCO (Constitutional Affairs) voted on the amendments and adopted the report that goes to plenary.
18 July 2025
Amendments tabled in committee
Members of AFCO (Constitutional Affairs) proposed changes to the draft.
6 June 2025
Draft report published
The rapporteur’s first text in AFCO (Constitutional Affairs). Members can table amendments before the committee votes.
13 February 2025
Referred to the AFCO (Constitutional Affairs) committee
The lead committee prepares Parliament’s report.
Official record: Legislative Observatory, 2025/2041(INI)