Unanimity Rule Under Scrutiny
Hungary and Poland are making a strong push to maintain the unanimity rule in the European Union’s foreign and security policy, opposing a newly formed coalition that advocates for qualified majority voting and aims to eliminate the veto power. Hungary’s foreign affairs minister, Péter Szijjártó, announced the move, stating that preliminary talks were underway to oppose the new “group of friends” supporting qualified majority voting, which includes influential EU members like Germany and France.
Pro-Unanimity Faction Emerges
Szijjártó mentioned that member states wanting to preserve unanimity and defend their national interests in decision-making were seeking close cooperation. While the countries involved in the discussions have not been named officially, a diplomatic source suggests that up to nine EU countries could be part of the pro-unanimity faction. The talks may result in a formal association or a fluid arrangement.
Countering the “Group of Friends”
The effort aims to counterbalance the “group of friends” formed by Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Slovenia, and Spain. This faction seeks to reform EU foreign policy gradually by moving away from unanimity and embracing qualified majority voting for select areas. The unanimity rule has often been exploited by individual member states to delay or block collective decisions, causing frustration among other EU nations.
Hungary’s Blocking Tactics
Hungary has faced criticism for repeatedly using its veto power to obstruct crucial agreements, causing frustration among fellow member states. On Monday, Budapest blocked the release of €500 million in EU military assistance to Ukraine after Kyiv listed Hungary’s largest commercial bank, OTP Bank, as an “international sponsor of war.” The bank, along with other private companies on the list, strongly denies these allegations, citing incorrect and biased reasoning.
The Future of Decision-Making in EU Foreign Policy
The battle over the unanimity rule versus qualified majority voting reflects a broader debate on the effectiveness and efficiency of decision-making within the EU’s foreign and security policy. While some argue that unanimity provides member states with the ability to defend their national interests, others believe that it hampers swift and decisive action. The outcome of the ongoing discussions and the potential formation of alliances will shape the future direction of EU decision-making in this critical policy area.
SOURCE: Ref – Jorge Liboreiro & Sandor Zsiros
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