Montenegro remains the leading candidate in the EU enlargement process.

Omissions

• The claim does not specify the metric by which Montenegro is 'leading' (chapters opened, chapters closed, treaty drafting stage, or reform progress), though all available metrics point to the same conclusion.
• The claim uses the broad term 'enlargement process' without distinguishing between the Western Balkans track and the Eastern Partnership track (Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia). Montenegro leads among all candidates regardless.
• Some sources consulted were published after the session date of 2026-06-16, but the data they describe concerns the period before and up to that date.

Sources

• PrimaryEuropean Commission – Enlargement and Eastern NeighbourhoodAs of 15 June 2026, the EU and Montenegro closed accession negotiations on freedom of movement of workers and consumer and health protection. Montenegro has all 33 negotiating chapters opened, with the most advanced progress among all candidate countries.
• AcademicBruegel – Working PaperMontenegro is described as 'the most advanced EU candidate in terms of reform' and 'could complete accession negotiations in 2026 or early 2027.' Notes that in April 2026 the Council established a Working Group for drafting Montenegro's Accession Treaty.
• SecondaryHouses of the Oireachtas (Irish Parliament) – Parliamentary QuestionMontenegro is the most advanced candidate country in accession negotiations, with all 33 chapters opened and 14 provisionally closed.
• SecondaryNew Union PostWith 14 chapters provisionally closed out of 33, Montenegro is considered in Brussels to be the most advanced candidate on the EU accession path. The EU ambassadors endorsed the establishment of the Ad Hoc Working Party on Drafting the Accession Treaty on 22 April 2026.