After 3 years since the so-called restart of EU enlargement, the topic remains high on the EU agenda. However, disagreements have started to re-emerge between member states and political parties. Questions include whether, where, why, and how to enlarge. This chapter sheds light on the key differing positions by analysing the coverage of the enlargement topic in the 2024 European Parliament election campaigns. While the impact of the election results on enlargement is complex, trends and conflicts observed can be expected to reappear at the EU level.

In the 27 national programs and six EU-level manifestos analysed, enlargement is supported more often than opposed. Member states are, however, notably divided on the topic: all Finnish parties are in favour of enlargement, whereas more French parties oppose than promote accepting new members. Right-wing parties support membership for some candidates only but remain divided in terms of whom to support.

Those parties that are open to new EU members differ in their justifications: leftist parties consider it a way to promote peace and democracy in the neighbourhood, while centre-right parties view enlargement as a response to the EU’s geopolitical and security interests. The most divisive topic seems to be EU reform. While centrist and German parties typically consider it a necessity for enlargement, their EP groupings remain fragmented on the topic.