Can a country withdraw from the EU or be thrown out?

Yes a country can indeed leave the EU.

Article 50 in the Lisbon Treaty proscribes the procedure if a member state wishes to withdraw from the European Union. First of all the member state must inform the Council of its intentions, whereby the Union will negotiate on a withdrawal agreement with the member state. Afterwards the Council will obtain consent from the European Parliament and will itself vote on the agreement, acting by a qualified majority.

A country cannot be expelled from the EU. On the other hand, it is possible for certain of a country’s rights in the EU, including voting rights in the Council, to be suspended. This can happen if a Member State has seriously and consistently violated the principles on which the EU is based: freedom, democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms and the principle of the rule of law, which means that the EU’s rules are applied and their observance is ensured.

Further readings

• Article 50 in the Lisbon Treaty on the withdrawal from the European Union
• Withdrawal clause