The EU is preparing an important change: 11 countries want to limit the veto right

Eleven EU countries have called for the possibility of abandoning unanimity in foreign policy to be explored. Instead, they propose moving to qualified majority voting on certain issues.

This is stated in a letter from the countries addressed to the EU’s chief diplomat, Kaia Kallas, which was reviewed by Euronews.

The appeal was signed by Austria, Denmark, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Romania, Spain and Sweden.

The countries acknowledge that consensus remains important for the European Union. At the same time, they emphasize that the veto right in some cases prevents the bloc from acting quickly and collectively.

“We continue to strive for consensus where possible,” the letter said.

At the same time, the authors of the appeal warn that such a system should not become a tool for blocking joint decisions.

“Otherwise we will have legitimacy, but we will not have power,” they emphasize.

The countries proposed five principles to strengthen the EU’s common foreign policy. These include making more active use of constructive abstention instead of blocking decisions, not linking foreign policy issues to other topics, and exploring the legal possibilities of moving to qualified majority voting.

The states also believe that countries that oppose such a transition should provide strong justifications.

Currently, the EU’s foreign policy is governed by the principle of unanimity. This means that one state can block a decision that all other countries support.

The problem has become particularly acute since the start of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine. The EU has repeatedly encountered situations where individual decisions regarding Russia and support for Ukraine have been delayed due to the position of one state.

One of the main supporters of using the veto right remained Hungary, led by Viktor Orban.

Brussels has been discussing the so-called “passerelle clause” for a long time – a mechanism that would allow for a change in voting procedures without a complete revision of the EU treaties. There is a paradox here: the transition from unanimity to qualified majority also requires the consent of all states.

Therefore, 11 countries propose to seek a compromise and consider the possibility of such a transition separately for different issues, rather than changing the entire system at once.

Also follow “Pryamim” on Facebook , X , Telegram , and Instagram.