Translating into Español. The English version is shown until it is ready.
European Commission proposes ending national vetoes on EU sanctions and enlargement
En breve
The European Commission has proposed widening the use of qualified majority voting in EU decision-making, so that a single member state can no longer block decisions on sanctions, enlargement and the fight against tax evasion. EU enlargement commissioner Marta Kos presented the plan at a European Parliament session in Strasbourg. The proposal needs approval by the European Parliament and unanimous backing in the Council of the EU to take effect.
Leer la noticia completa 2 min de lectura
The European Commission has proposed expanding the use of qualified majority voting in EU decision-making, replacing unanimity in areas that include sanctions, enlargement and the fight against tax evasion, EU enlargement commissioner Marta Kos said at a European Parliament session in Strasbourg. TASS, Vedomosti, Kommersant and RBC all reported the initiative. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
“We must expand the number of areas where qualified majority voting is used, where EU rules allow it, so that one country can no longer block necessary decisions. For example, this concerns sanctions, the fight against tax evasion, enlargement,” Kos said, according to a quote carried by Vedomosti and Kommersant. [ 2 , 3 ]
Kommersant reported that for enlargement, only the decisions to begin and to conclude the admission process would still be taken unanimously, while intermediate decisions would be taken by majority. Kommersant also reported that for the initiative to take effect it would have to be approved in the European Parliament and supported unanimously in the Council of the EU. Under current rules, Kommersant said, foreign policy decisions require the agreement of all 27 member states, while a qualified majority requires backing from at least 55% of member states representing at least 65% of the EU population. [ 3 ]
The documents place the proposal in the context of earlier debate over vetoes. Kommersant, citing Euronews, reported that in early September 11 EU countries called for considering the abolition of the veto right. Kommersant also cited The Guardian as saying the veto could be removed only for countries that recently joined the EU, and that the initiative may be linked to Hungary's decisions under prime minister Viktor Orban, including its veto of a €90bn aid package for Ukraine. [ 3 ]
On enlargement specifically, Vedomosti cited a Financial Times report from October 5, based on two officials, that Hungary intended to soften its veto on further progress in the accession talks of Ukraine and Moldova. The report described procedural steps needed for possibly opening new negotiation clusters: the Hungarian prime minister — named by Vedomosti as Peter Magyar — instructed diplomats not to block letters to Kyiv and Chisinau about possibly opening clusters on the internal market, competitiveness and inclusive growth, while full political support would depend on the Verkhovna Rada passing a law expanding the rights of national minorities in education. A vote was planned for October 12. Kommersant, in the same coverage of the veto debate, referred to Hungary's earlier vetoes under Viktor Orban. [ 2 , 3 ]
Vedomosti also recalled that on October 2 Kos said Ukraine would not be able to join the EU in 2027 under the current procedure for admitting new members, that there would be no exceptions for Kyiv, and that she hoped the maximum possible number of negotiation clusters would be opened before the end of 2026. [ 2 ]
Por qué importa
The change would move a set of EU decisions from unanimity to qualified majority, limiting any single member state's ability to block them, including on sanctions and on intermediate steps of accession talks. It comes as the EU discusses enlargement and as Hungary's use of vetoes has been reported as a factor in the initiative. Because the plan itself requires unanimous support in the Council, it faces the same hurdle it seeks to remove.
Datos clave
- The European Commission proposed expanding qualified majority voting instead of unanimity in EU decision-making. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- Areas named in the proposal include sanctions, enlargement and fighting tax evasion. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Enlargement commissioner Marta Kos presented the initiative at a European Parliament session in Strasbourg. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- Under the proposal, only the decisions to start and end an accession process would remain unanimous; intermediate decisions would be taken by majority. [ 3 ]
- The initiative would have to be approved by the European Parliament and supported unanimously in the Council of the EU. [ 3 ]
- Qualified majority requires support from at least 55% of member states representing at least 65% of the EU population. [ 3 ]
- Kos said Ukraine cannot join the EU in 2027 under the current admission procedure and that there would be no exceptions for Kyiv. [ 2 ]
Confirmado por varias fuentes
- The European Commission proposed expanding the use of qualified majority voting in areas including sanctions, enlargement and the fight against tax evasion. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- EU enlargement commissioner Marta Kos presented the proposal at a European Parliament session in Strasbourg. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- Kos said one country should no longer be able to block decisions in the areas covered by the proposal. [ 2 , 3 ]
Aún sin aclarar
- Which Hungarian prime minister is named in connection with the reported softening of the veto on Ukraine and Moldova accession talks. Vedomosti names Hungarian prime minister Peter Magyar as instructing diplomats on the procedural steps, while Kommersant names Viktor Orban in connection with Hungary's earlier vetoes; the documents do not reconcile the two.
- Whether the European Commission's proposal will be adopted. Kommersant reports it would require approval in the European Parliament and unanimous support in the Council of the EU, where the current unanimity rule still applies.
- Whether the reported Hungarian position will translate into full political support for opening new negotiation clusters with Ukraine and Moldova. Vedomosti, citing a Financial Times report based on two officials, says full support would depend on the Verkhovna Rada passing a law expanding the rights of national minorities in education.
- Which member states the removal of the veto would apply to. Kommersant, citing The Guardian, says it could be removed only for countries that recently joined the EU; no further detail is given.
Qué dicen los medios locales
Cronología, hora local
- TASS reports that the European Commission proposed abolishing member states' veto right on sanctions and enlargement. [ 1 ]
- Vedomosti reports the proposal to widen qualified majority voting, including Kos's remarks in Strasbourg, the Financial Times report on Hungary and Kos's October 2 statement on Ukraine. [ 2 ]
- Kommersant reports the initiative and its procedural details, including the role of the European Parliament and the Council. [ 3 ]
- RBC reports that the European Commission proposed cutting the number of EU decisions requiring unanimity. [ 4 ]
- Euronews reported that 11 EU countries called for considering the abolition of the veto right. [ 3 ]
- Kos said Ukraine could not join the EU in 2027 under the current admission procedure and that there would be no exceptions for Kyiv, expressing hope that as many negotiation clusters as possible would be opened before the end of 2026. [ 2 ]
- The Financial Times, citing two officials, reported that Hungary intended to soften its veto on further progress in Ukraine and Moldova accession talks, with full political support depending on a law on national minorities' rights in education. [ 2 ]
- A vote is planned, according to the Financial Times report cited by Vedomosti. [ 2 ]