European Commission Faces Capacity Strain Amidst Booming Enlargement Drive
The European Commission is experiencing a capacity challenge due to its active enlargement drive, which has seen more negotiating chapters closed in the past six months than in the previous decade. The Directorate-General for Enlargement and the Eastern Neighbourhood (DG ENEST) is particularly strained, as it manages multiple accession processes simultaneously. Montenegro is currently drafting its accession treaty, aiming to become the EU's 28th member by 2028, while Albania is preparing to start its own treaty work. The Commission's reliance on temporary contracts and high turnover rates have exacerbated the situation, leading to a loss of institutional memory and capacity. Additionally, Iceland is considering resuming its accession path, which would require further resources. Ukraine and Moldova have opened two negotiating chapters recently, with a push to open more before the year's end, despite Hungary's call for a gradual approach. 
