The unanimity principle applies, among other things, to the admission of new member states, and to the adoption of annual budgets (and thereby all important financial matters). For example, Orban has so far prevented additional financial support to Ukraine.
Group leader Manfred Weber of the largest Christian democratic group in the European Parliament already advocated for its abolition last week in an interview with the German weekly Der Spiegel. And last Monday, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen joined that stance.
New Momentum
The European Union thus stands on the brink of a possible drastic change in decision-making. The recent power shift in Hungary provides, according to Brussels leaders, new momentum to limit the veto rights of EU countries.
Promotion
Especially on sensitive topics like sanctions against Russia and support for Ukraine, the EU got stuck, according to Von der Leyen and Weber. The veto right led to repeated delays and blockades.
According to the President of the European Commission, this is the moment to draw lessons from that period. She states that the EU remains vulnerable as long as one member state can block decisions supported by the rest.
Qualified
Therefore, she advocates a switch to decision-making by qualified majority. This means support from about three-quarters of the EU countries. In that system, proposals can be adopted if there is a sufficiently broad majority. This method is already used for less impactful decisions.
The power shift in Hungary is seen in Brussels as an opportunity to break this deadlock. With a new government that seems willing to pursue a different course, space arises to accelerate the debate on reforms.
Politically Sensitive
At the same time, the proposed change is politically sensitive. Changing the decision-making rules requires the consent of the member states themselves. Some countries fear they will lose influence over their own foreign policy.
There is also concern that minority countries could be forced to accept decisions they disagree with. This makes the discussion complex and potentially divisive.
Not Even After Brexit
Yet, within the EU, the conviction is growing that the current system does not always work. Supporters of reform point out that swift and joint action is becoming increasingly important in a turbulent international environment. Critics noted that the momentum will quickly dissipate, referring to the departure of the British from the EU. Even the Brexit criticism of the EU’s functioning did not lead to drastic changes.
The coming period will have to show whether the EU countries are truly willing to give up their veto right. In any case, the election result in Hungary has once again accelerated the debate.