Less affluent countries like Spain and Portugal fear the financial implications of an expanded Union, and France is wary of diluting its political influence. Furthermore, high unemployment rates and slowing economic growth throughout Europe have made political leaders apprehensive about the free flow of labor from their Eastern European neighbors. Both the Commission and the individual member states understand what the issues are, what the problems are, and what needs to be done prior to the admission of between five and ten new members. Concluding negotiations on these issues has been difficult, however, as important national interests confront the supernational imperative for institutional reform. While the Commission hopes to further liberalize the European agricultural market and reduce CAP outlays, the addition of new member states threatens to bankrupt the current subsidy system.
Similar concerns are evident in the debate over regional and structural assistance programs.
These programs proved effective in bringing the poorer European nations in line with the standard of living evident throughout northern Europe. Ireland, for example, went from being the poorest EU nation to a standard of living equal to 90 percent of the EU average. Yet, with the combined GDP of the 10 candidate countries less than the EU's average GDP, the prospect of reduced aid in the wake of enlargement is, and will continue to be, a source of great concern among less affluent EU member states.