élargissement

Élargissement is a French term that translates to "enlargement" or "broadening" in English. It is most commonly used in the context of the European Union. In this political and economic sense, élargissement refers to the process of admitting new member states into the EU. This involves a rigorous accession process where candidate countries must meet specific political, economic, and legal criteria, often referred to as the Copenhagen criteria. These criteria include having stable institutions guaranteeing democracy, the rule of law, human rights, and respect for minority rights; a functioning market economy; and the ability to take on the obligations of membership, including adherence to the aims of political, economic, and monetary union.

The EU has undergone several waves of élargissement throughout its history. Significant enlargements occurred in 1973 (Denmark, Ireland, United Kingdom), 1981 (Greece), 1986 (Spain, Portugal), 1995 (Austria, Finland, Sweden), and most notably in 2004 when ten new countries joined, followed by Bulgaria and Romania in 2007, and Croatia in 2013. Each élargissement has had profound implications for the internal dynamics and external relations of the European Union, often leading to debates about institutional reform, economic integration, and the EU's geopolitical role. The term can also be used more generally to describe the expansion of any organization, scope, or range.