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The state of consensus in the EU: what is the way forward in the debate about expanding qualified majority decisions?
Zum Stand der Konsensfähigkeit der EU: kleine oder große Lösung, um qualifizierte Mehrheitsentscheidungen auszuweiten?
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Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik -SWP- Deutsches Institut für Internationale Politik und Sicherheit
Abstract The debate in the European Union (EU) on the expansion of majority decision-making is entering a new round. Germany, in particular, is seeking to build a coalition in favour of more majority decisions in light of the, at times, difficult decision-making process concerning foreign and security policy... view more
The debate in the European Union (EU) on the expansion of majority decision-making is entering a new round. Germany, in particular, is seeking to build a coalition in favour of more majority decisions in light of the, at times, difficult decision-making process concerning foreign and security policy, and the prospect of future EU enlargement. Too often, however, this debate is not taking into account how and with what results majority decisions are being used in other, sometimes equally contested policy areas. An analysis of the public votes since 2010 compiled in the SWP's new EU Council Monitor shows that EU member states generally strive for consensus, even in majority decisions. Larger groups of member states are almost never outvoted. Still, Hungary and Poland increasingly stand out as two states that are outvoted more often than others, albeit to a slightly lesser degree than the United Kingdom (UK) was before Brexit. One way out of the dilemma between strengthening the EU's ability to act and protecting vital national interests could be a well-balanced "sovereignty safety net". (author's abstract)... view less
Keywords
EU; decision making process; political decision; consensus; majority rule; CFSP; EU expansion
Classification
European Politics
Free Keywords
Prozedurale Fragen bei internationalem Akteur; Entscheidungsverfahren bei internationalem Akteur; Konsensusprinzip; Steigerung/Ausbau; Beziehungen von Mitgliedern zu internationalem Akteur; Wahlverhalten/Abstimmungsverhalten; Nationale Interessen; Souveränität; Politische Reformen; aus deutscher Sicht
Document language
English
Publication Year
2024
City
Berlin
Page/Pages
8 p.
Series
SWP Comment, 16/2024
DOI
https://doi.org/10.18449/2024C16
ISSN
2747-5107
Status
Published Version; reviewed
Licence
Deposit Licence - No Redistribution, No Modifications