The EU is looking for a way out of the blockades

2025-09-24 08:13:09, Kosova & Bota CNA

The European Union has in the past been forced to make decisions without Hungary, leaving space for conservative Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban for a "coffee break" or issuing final statements without his presence.

However, in EU foreign and security policy, it is becoming increasingly difficult to make joint decisions.

Sanctions against Russia, the 19th package currently being negotiated, must be approved by all member states. The same applies to tax policy or the admission of new EU members, where one country can block any decision with its veto.

This is "not morally wrong," Nicolai von Ondarza of the Foundation for Science and Politics (SWP) tells DW. These are "key areas of national sovereignty."

Countries do not like to compromise when it comes to their interests, explains the political scientist who heads the EU research group at the SWP. In Germany, this is the case, for example, with the EU's policy towards Israel.

Ondarza finds it problematic that Hungary often does not take an interest in one issue. And yet, it uses its veto power to "blackmail" other member states on other issues.

In EU jargon, this is called a "tactical veto". Orbán often blocks EU policy towards Ukraine. For example, some 6.6 billion euros in aid to Ukraine from the European Peace Facility has not yet been disbursed. The country is also opposed to Ukraine's possible membership in the EU.

Hungary, among others, argues that this could drag the EU into a war with Russia. But the Hungarian government has ultimately approved all 18 sanctions packages against Russia so far./ DW

German Chancellor Merz and French President Macron shake hands during a meeting — Merz and Macron - German-French friendship Photo: Manon Cruz/REUTERS

It is rare for other member states to use this tactic, says Ondarza. In 2021, Cyprus blocked sanctions against Belarus to achieve a tougher approach towards Turkey.

The EU has a constitutional problem, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said at an informal meeting in Copenhagen: “The slowest ship in the convoy determines the speed. We must find ways to implement the majority position.” The EU, Rasmussen said, must seek “innovative solutions.”

What new solutions and working methods might look like were not discussed at the meeting in late August. This should "definitely" happen in the coming months, said EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas. It is a "credibility issue" for the EU.

As early as 2023, at the initiative of Germany, a "Group of Friends for Improving Decision-Making in the Common Foreign and Security Policy" was established. According to the Council of the EU, it now includes twelve countries. In addition to Germany , these are Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Romania, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden.

The "Group of Friends", for example, has proposed that decisions on sanctions, declarations on human rights issues or decisions on participation in civilian missions should be taken by qualified majority. This means that at least 15 member states, representing at least 65% of the EU population, must vote in favour of the decision. There should also be some kind of safety net for the core national interests of member states. But such proposals must be approved by all 27 EU heads of state and government.

Kryeministri hungarez Viktor Orban në Bruksel së bashku me kryeministrin e Sllovakisë Robert Fico — Hungary and Slovakia have reservations about sanctions against Russia, as both countries receive oil and gas from Russia. Prime Minister Orban and Slovakia's Fico during a meeting in Brussels Photo: John Thys/AFP/Getty Images

According to an EU diplomat, some countries in the group want to extend the discussions to tax policy, in order to relax the unanimity principle here as well. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called for a reform of the decision-making process in her State of the Union address in early September to avoid deadlocks. In some areas, the EU needs to be freed from the "shackles of unanimous decision-making" by the 27 member states, she said.

Another possibility to soften the unanimity principle in the EU would be to amend the EU treaties, for example in the context of admitting new members, says von Ondarza. This would also require the consent of all 27 member states. The political scientist currently considers such consent "politically impossible."

If member states expand their circle of friends, they could put more pressure on other countries to implement majority decision-making at some point. However, the EU may have to pay a high price in the future for Hungary to give up its powerful veto, says von Ondarza.

Even in Brussels, the Group of Friends is seen as a tool for exerting pressure, the EU diplomat told DW. Hungary is increasingly isolated. The European Commission is currently working on a plan to use frozen Russian assets to rebuild Ukraine. According to a Reuters report, the Commission is already considering ways to circumvent the Hungarian veto.