The European Union must be granted more powers and become more effective. EU politicians should also gain more authority, and in some cases, the veto right of EU countries should be abolished. Therefore, some European treaties need to be revised, according to the European Parliament.
On Thursday, the European Parliament adopted a non-binding resolution urging member states to make progress on such reforms and to convene a conference on the matter. The MEPs want to do away with the veto right of heads of government when it comes to sanctions or emergency situations. Currently, all EU countries must agree unanimously on these issues.
Changes are needed not only in the decision-making process between ministers and EU countries but also within the European Parliament itself. The parliamentarians want to have the power to propose, amend, or repeal laws on their own. This would increase politicians' power and make them part of the legislative process.
The Parliament's resolution stems from the Conference on the Future of Europe, which involved extensive discussions with governments, citizens, and organizations about the future of the European project. On June 23 and 24, the heads of state and government of the 27 member states will meet. According to the European Parliament, this EU summit must make decisive decisions about modernizing the EU.
Belgian MEP Guy Verhofstadt (Open VLD) said that, partly due to the current unanimity rule, it took three months to agree on sanctions against Russia.
It is known that French President Macron previously advocated for modernizing the EU and wants to expand its responsibilities in economic and industrial areas. However, he seeks more authority for the ministers and less for EU institutions.
Macron has also made clear that he wants to discuss the admission of new member states only 'after the EU has its own house in order.' Due to the Russian war against Ukraine, the EU summit at the end of this month will include, among other things, membership procedures for Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia on the agenda.
These are not the only countries seeking EU membership. Turkey has been a candidate member state for 23 years, as have Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Albania. Additionally, Kosovo and Bosnia-Herzegovina are potential candidate countries. They are even further away from membership.