The Eastern Enlargement of the European Union : An Institutionalist Analysis of Policy Positions, Accession Scenarios and Institutional Reform

This study provides an institutionalist view of Eastern enlargement of the European Union by uncovering the enlargement preferences of all member states. Considering two accession scenarios and the Nice institutional reform, we analyze European Union decision-making in order to understand the transformation of the inter-institutional power relationship between the member states, the Commission and the Court of Justice. We find that most member states support a stepwise Eastern enlargement and institutional reform, while others are in favor of an extensive accession. Moreover, our findings suggest that the Commission will be empowered by Eastern enlargement due to the increased danger of a gridlocked Council of Ministers