The German Foreign Minister wants to do away with unanimity in EU foreign policy

In a speech delivered at the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung in Berlin, the German Foreign Minister, Johann Wadephul, outlined his proposals for reforming European decision-making processes. The CDU member, speaking at the foundation’s premises to mark the 150th anniversary of Konrad Adenauer’s birth, called for a Europe that is “more agile, more flexible and more innovative”, capable of acting swiftly, particularly in the fields of foreign and security policy.

His central proposal aims to extend qualified majority voting to the common foreign and security policy, an area where unanimity remains the rule today. The idea would be to allow enhanced cooperation between willing states, without holding back those who wish to move forward. Wadephul points out that this voting method already applies to 80% of European decisions, where a majority of 15 out of 27 countries representing at least 65% of the population is required.

Without naming Viktor Orbán’s Hungary, the German minister criticised recurring deadlocks that have allegedly held the EU “hostage to national interests and those alien to the cause”, particularly when it came to unblocking financial aid for Ukraine. In her view, maintaining unanimity on security issues could expose Europe to an “existential threat”, as she believes the war in Ukraine illustrates. The initiative is not unprecedented; Annalena Baerbock had already championed it in 2023 alongside six European counterparts, including France, and the idea of a European core group echoes the proposals put forward in 1994 by Wolfgang Schäuble and Karl Lamers.

According to the minister, 12 Member States, including France, already support this approach, and Berlin intends to win over the sceptics. Wadephul’s plan also provides for an overhaul of the enlargement process, with gradual, phased integration towards full membership, the introduction of clauses on the release of European funds, and a strengthening of the principle of loyal cooperation. The minister reiterated Germany’s commitment to the Western Balkans and mentioned Iceland and Norway as welcome candidates. Spiegel

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