EU moves to replace unanimity with majority voting in defence policy

A report by the Foundation Alternativas, authored by security expert Carlos Martí, recommends that the European Union abandon the unanimity rule that currently governs its Common Security and Defence Policy. The proposal calls for a qualified‑majority voting system or a new “European Security Council” whose permanent members would be the five largest states – Germany, France, Italy, Spain and Poland – with additional rotating members. The aim is to give the EU greater strategic autonomy and to overcome vetoes exercised by individual members, such as Hungary, which have blocked common positions on Russia and arms supplies.

The report notes that majority voting would increase flexibility but could create ad‑hoc solutions, reduce cohesion and risk marginalising smaller states. The council‑style model would concentrate decision‑making power, raising concerns about the loss of equality among members and the need for greater joint investment in defence capabilities. For Spain, the plan could mean a permanent seat and a stronger voice on crises like Ukraine, but it would also require higher military spending and a partial surrender of sovereign control over foreign‑policy matters.