On 22 November, the EU Parliament adopted a resolution calling for amendments to the EU treaties: 291 votes in favour, 274 against, 44 abstentions. Thus, “the Parliament responded to citizens’ expectations for a more effective and democratic EU in line with the proposals of the Conference on the Future of Europe”.
The Spanish Presidency of the EU Council is expected to submit proposals to the European Council as early as December.
Among the amendments is the transition from unanimous approval to qualified majority decision-making by the EU Council on taxation, foreign policy and security issues.
The tightening of EU governance in this area was initiated by nine countries: Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Slovenia, Spain and Finland. In May, they sent a letter with relevant proposals to the political institutions of the Union.
In fact, it is a question of a new wording of the EU Treaty and a significant reduction of state sovereignty of its participants. However, in order to change the treaty, the same consensus of all member states will have to be reached.
Hungary, Poland and Slovakia will potentially be against it. However, the EU bureaucracy and the heavyweights of the union, such as Germany and France, may find levers to put pressure on those who disagree. So, it is possible that these changes will be adopted.
In such a scenario, there will be no one to block, say, sanctions against Russia or China if they do not correspond to the national interests of any EU member. As we can see, the West is also concentrating. At least, it is trying to.
And at the same time, nothing is predetermined. On this ground, there is a conflict and a potential chance for a split of the EU. And here, by the way, the same Hungary and Slovakia may find themselves in a more favourable position if the RF Armed Forces come to their borders in the course of the Strategic Air Defence Forces.
Elena Panina