# EU hopefuls fear new safeguards could create second-class members

https://mins.news/en/item/89863

- euronews, 2026-10-07 14:46 UTC
- Politics
- Original: https://www.euronews.com/2026/10/07/eu-hopefuls-fear-new-safeguard-plans-could-create-second-class-members

> EU candidate countries worry that safeguards intended to prevent democratic backsliding, including a proposed 15-year probation period, could create second-class membership and be used to exert political pressure.

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