EU member states demand reform to end vetoes in foreign policy

EU foreign policy veto reform qualified majority voting Kaja Kallas European Union decision-making

Eleven European Union member states, including Germany and France, have issued a formal letter to High Representative Kaja Kallas advocating for significant reforms to the EU's foreign and security policy decision-making processes.

The group, which includes Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Romania, Spain, and Sweden, is calling for a transition from the current requirement of unanimity to qualified majority voting (QMV). The signatories argue that the existing consensus-based model has allowed for 'obstructive' vetoes that paralyze the bloc's ability to act effectively in a changing geopolitical landscape.

Key proposals within the letter include: • Increasing the use of constructive abstention instead of outright vetoes. • Utilizing the 'passerelle clause' under Article 31 of the EU Treaty to enable QMV without full treaty amendments. • Preventing the practice of linking foreign policy decisions to unrelated national issues.

The reform effort specifically highlights how the veto power has been used by leaders, such as former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, to block major initiatives, including financial aid packages. While the countries emphasize that they still value the legitimacy provided by a culture of consensus, they warn that without these changes, the Union will possess 'legitimacy, but not strength.'

Additionally, Germany and France are supporting efforts to strengthen Kaja Kallas's role, potentially positioning her as an executive Vice President of the European Commission with oversight of trade, development, and defense.

Entities

European Union · France · Germany · Kaja Kallas · Ledion Krisafi · Viktor Orbán

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 14 SOURCES] Eleven EU countries have signed a letter addressed to High Representative Kaja Kallas. fjala.al · zhurnal.mk · abcnews.al · www.actualno.com · de.euronews.com · +9 more
[● 14 SOURCES] The reform aims to prevent obstructive vetoes from paralyzing EU foreign policy action. fjala.al · zhurnal.mk · www.actualno.com · de.euronews.com · es.euronews.com · +9 more
[● 6 SOURCES] The proposal includes replacing the use of vetoes with abstentions. abcnews.al · beta.rs · www.index.hr · makpress.mk · press24.mk · +1 more
[○ 1 SOURCE] Expert Ledion Krisafi estimates the chances of removing the veto are 50/50. abcnews.al
[● 14 SOURCES] The group is proposing a shift from unanimity to qualified majority voting in foreign policy decisions. fjala.al · zhurnal.mk · abcnews.al · www.actualno.com · de.euronews.com · +9 more
[○ 1 SOURCE] The removal of the veto could benefit Western Balkan countries by preventing them from blocking each other during integration. abcnews.al
[● 2 SOURCES] Germany and France are advocating for strengthening Kaja Kallas's role in EU foreign policy. www.topalbaniaradio.com · press24.mk
[● 5 SOURCES] The proposal suggests using the 'passerelle clause' to change decision-making rules without treaty changes. banjaluka.net · makpress.mk · www.topalbaniaradio.com · beta.rs · www.danas.rs