00:02The EU is discussing stronger safeguards for new member states, including the possibility
00:07of suspending voting rights with Montenegro first in line. Last month, the European Commission
00:13proposed a 15-year probation period for newcomers designed to allow swift action against those
00:19that violate EU values. Five of the EU's founding members requested to draw lessons
00:24from the experience of former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who for years blackmailed
00:29the bloc by wielding his veto power over major decisions. Candidate countries face a take-it-or-leave-it
00:35deal, but for Montenegro, the most advanced candidate walking away is hardly an option.
00:41Yet changing the terms of membership at the last mile leaves a bitter aftertaste for
00:46Montenegrin officials. Some EU capitals are sympathetic to the candidates' arguments.
00:51Italy is pushing for respecting the equality of member states and for safeguards that are
00:56tailor-made for each candidate. The Netherlands, by contrast, has championed no differentiation
01:02between EU candidates.
