The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kai Kallas, said during the annual conference of the European Defence Agency in Brussels that “it is unacceptable that a veto by one country can block the policy of other European Union member states.”
The Estonian native presented the narrative, constantly repeated by supporters of EU centralization, that unanimity in decisions prevents the European Union authorities from reacting quickly enough in a situation where the current geopolitical crises require urgent responses.
Kallas has recommended exploring the possibilities provided for in the EU Treaties, namely, constructive abstention, the gradual extension of qualified majority voting in foreign and security policy, and the use of the mutual defence clause, to speed up the decision-making process in political and military policy.
Such a move has long been opposed by numerous member states, including Poland. The previous Polish government, for instance, cited Germany’s policy of building Nord Stream 2 with Russia, despite ample warnings from Poland about the threat Russia posed. Along with this issue, and many others, states argue that the veto helps maintain national sovereignty in the EU for member states.
Kallas, however, said that Europe is no longer Washington’s primary geopolitical objective, and this shift has been underway for some time.
“This shift in strategic focus has shaken the foundations of the transatlantic relationship. The United States remains a partner and ally of Europe, but it is necessary to adapt to new realities, and Europe must act urgently,” she said.
“No great power in history has ever managed to survive while remaining intact,” she added, emphasizing that strengthening defense is a priority. Kallas noted that European defense capabilities are fragmented, with member states overly focused on national interests, which slows down and weakens joint action.
Therefore, in her opinion, “We need to change our culture and act like Europeans, not like nations,” Kallas said.
Germany has also continuously demanded that the EU abandon the unanimity principle and works toward greater integration.
German politician Manfred Weber, head of the European People’s Party (EPP), currently the largest group in the European Parliament, wants member states to switch to qualified majority voting in matters of foreign and security policy, instead of unanimous voting.
The issue for him and other Brussels leaders has been that some heads of government, including Viktor Orbán in Hungary and Robert Fico in Slovakia, continuously block certain measures, especially those seeking to achieve “European integration.” Now, it appears they are willing to throw the founding treaties out to deal with the pro-peace political leaders, who are opposed to further weapons to Ukraine.
According to Do Rzeczy, Weber also wants the positions of president of the European Commission and president of the European Council to be combined, arguing that such a change would not require changes to the EU treaties and could be achieved after the next European Parliament elections in 2029.
The politician says Brussels is currently “blocked” in the international arena and that this “must end.” The merger of these positions would be the key to making this possible.
The current president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, heads the executive branch of the European Union, which has competencies in trade, agriculture, the single market, and other areas of domestic policy.
Foreign affairs, meanwhile, are handled by the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas from Estonia, and the president of the European Council, António Costa from Portugal, both of whom report directly to EU countries.
Weber says this separation of roles creates a “fragmented division of power” that is “not up to the task” in times of geopolitical uncertainty, especially with the Trump administration “upending the international order.”
Asked by Politico if he would run for the position of future “president of Europe,” Weber did not rule out such a scenario, emphasizing that “the future of these issues lies in the hands of the party structures and in the hands of the citizens of Europe.”
Weber has been the leader of the EPP in the EU parliament since 2014. In 2019, he ran for president of the European Commission, but the candidate ultimately went to von der Leyen, then German defense minister.
