POLITICO Europe reports growing division among candidate and existing EU members over a plan to allow new countries to join the bloc without immediate full voting rights, a proposal aimed at avoiding gridlock if the EU expands. Some aspiring members want full benefits on accession; others are willing to accept limited rights until institutional reforms are agreed. Businesses, civil‑society groups and migrants from candidate countries should monitor negotiations — changes to membership terms could affect rights, representation and policy influence for new members.

Forty years after accession, Henrique Burnay assesses whether the original expectations of political stability, economic convergence and stronger international standing have been realised. He argues that while membership delivered important structural gains — market access, institutional stability and funding — unfulfilled promises remain in terms of full economic convergence, social cohesion and consistent EU foreign and defence policy. The conversation lays out short- and long-term scenarios, highlighting the need for renewed domestic reform, clearer European-level strategic choices and pragmatic adaptations if the Union is to meet citizens’ expectations in the coming decades.