ABSTRACT

The enlargement of the European Union into former Eastern Europe has been discussed for some time. An enlargement into Eastern Europe is a more difficult project to carry through than the earlier enlargements made between 1972 and 1995, given the huge differences in both income and institutions between Western and Eastern Europe. The economic aspects of EU enlargement eastward weigh heavily, but here we focus upon the political aspects of making the club of states larger, especially constitutional matters concerning decision-making in the key EU organ, the Council of Ministers. Taking on new members in a club questions the power relationships within the club. One may wish to consider not only how many votes (Council) or seats (Parliament) the new member states are going to be entitled to, but also by which voting rule decisions are going to be made in an enlarged club. We use the voting power index approach in order to model the implications of alternative arrangements for an enlarged EU.