ABSTRACT
The enlargement process induces strong pressures for reforming EU institutions. As an example, the effects of the unanimity rule in decision-making will be very different under a membership of 25 (or 30) with respect to the actual membership of 15, not to mention the original one of six. The enlargement process underlines and aggravates some of the problems that exist under the present arrangements. The setting up of the Convention on the future of Europe is the clearest evidence of the importance of institutional reforms. The ongoing discussion involves practically all aspects of the EU decision-making procedures; the very roles of the Commission, the Council and the Parliament are under scrutiny. The goal is to overcome the so-called democracy deficit, the imbalances, sluggishness and slowness of the decision making process (partly but not solely due to the heavy reliance on unanimity voting).
