German and French ministers are examining the possibility of removing the veto rule on foreign policy and immigration.
In what would be a historic reform in the European Union, Germany and France are in talks to abolish the veto rule in foreign policy and taxation matters. According to the French and German ministers of state for Europe, Laurence Boone and Anna Lührmann, the reform could come "this year".
According to the two ministers, the European Union should reform itself before expanding further. The 27-nation bloc is famously slow and bulky when it comes to unanimous decisions, as each member nation holds a veto power.
For the entire EU history, this meant a slow reaction to both external and internal crises, as well as continent-wide decisions.
As Guy Verhofstad, a Member of the European Parliament puts it: "Unanimity rules are making a mockery of EU politics. Aid to Ukraine, sanctions on Russia, fair taxation, managing migration, EU funds, and the rule of law… literally everything that matters to Europeans is subject to vetoes by one government or another. Our sovereignty is handicapped by our own outdated rules. We need to start a convention and update the rulebook."
In particular, Hungary abused its veto power after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. While every other EU country agreed on sanctions and military support for Ukraine, Hungary often delayed or diluted the measure’s effectiveness.
How does the proposal work
Boone and Lührmann propose a qualified majority on foreign policy and taxation. As per the 2014 Treaty of Lisbon, a qualified majority requires 55% of countries and 65% of the population represented to vote in favor.
The Treaty also put in place measures to avoid large and populous countries from overruling a majority of smaller members. If four countries or 35% of the population represented vote against the proposal, it is automatically rejected.
At the moment, many matters can be decided through a qualified majority instead of unanimity. These include the EU budget, immigration, asylum, crime prevention incentives, tourism, sport, and culture.
Adding foreign policy and taxation would make EU decision-making more fluid and coherent. It would also enhance the EU’s position on the world stage.
According to Boone and Lührmann, other EU ministers are considering the option and the consensus has shifted in favor of this proposal.
"Poland does not oppose EU reform. They might not have the same view of EU reforms as we may have, but they are not opposing it," Lührmann said, referring to typical Polish skepticism against Brussels’ proposals.
The reform will not be implemented any time soon, but the chances of its approval increase by the day.
