The candidate states and the IGCBaun, Michael J. (Avtor) Marek, Dan (Avtor) European unioncandidate-statesqualified majority votingNice TreatyEU enlargementsize and composition of EU institutionsThe 2000 Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) and Nice Treaty have significant implications for the candidate-states for European Union (EU) membership. Of most importance for the SE countries, the Nice summit brought the IGC to a successful conclusion, thereby clearing the way for enlargement to proceed. The institutional changes agreed to at Nice will also affect the future position and interests of the candidate-countries as member-states. A less effective EU, because of the minimalist extension of qualified-majority voting and raised threshold for qualified majority decisions, when combined with the new provisions for enhanced co-operation could work against the new member-states as frustrated and more federalist members seek to press ahead with further integration. The Nice agreement, including decisions on the size and composition of the Commission and the distribution of Council votes and seats in the European Parliament, will also affect popular perceptions of the EU in the candidate-states, and thus the level of popular support for accession in these countries.20012022-03-30 13:41:35Članek v reviji135757sl