# EU foreign policy and decision-making reform efforts

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/eu-foreign-policy-and-decision-making-reform-efforts
> Updated: 2026-09-30T04:57:00.000Z. Sources: 27. Developments: 2.

Eleven European Union member states, led by Germany and France, have formally called for reforms to the bloc’s foreign and security policy decision-making processes. The group is advocating for a shift from the current requirement of unanimity to qualified majority voting (QMV) to prevent ‘obstructive’ vetoes from paralyzing EU action. Proposed measures include utilizing the ‘passerelle clause’ and increasing the use of constructive abstention.

Following these demands, the European Commission is reportedly preparing a plan to accelerate the accession process for countries including Ukraine, Montenegro, Albania, and Moldova. This proposal involves expanding the use of QMV to bypass individual national vetoes on specific issues, such as security, defense, and new memberships. While proponents see this as essential to Union security, critics argue the shift toward centralized governance could undermine member state autonomy and bypass democratic checks.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-30: European Commission proposes bypassing vetoes for EU enlargement

The European Commission is reportedly planning to bypass national vetoes through qualified majority voting to accelerate the EU enlargement process for countries including Ukraine.

7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/european-commission-proposes-bypassing-vetoes-for-eu-enlargement

### 2026-09-01: EU member states demand reform to end vetoes in foreign policy

Eleven EU nations, led by Germany and France, are calling for an end to obstructive vetoes by proposing a shift from unanimous voting to qualified majority voting in foreign policy decisions.

20 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/eleven-eu-nations-demand-reform-to-limit-foreign-policy-vetoes

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Cite as: EU foreign policy and decision-making reform efforts. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/eu-foreign-policy-and-decision-making-reform-efforts
