VETO FOR THE BENEFIT OF OTHER POWERS European Union puts an end to member state blockades
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TL;DR
- The EU is finding ways to bypass vetoes from member states like Hungary and Slovakia, which often benefit powers hostile to Europe.
- Decisions on aid to Ukraine and freezing Russian assets are being made by coalitions of willing countries, excluding those who oppose them.
- Legal mechanisms like 'enhanced cooperation' and decisions by majority vote under Article 122 are being used to overcome unanimity requirements.
- Hungary has been the most frequent user of vetoes since 2011, blocking common foreign policy stances, financial aid to Ukraine, and EU accession talks for Ukraine.
- The EU is also exploring the 'coalition of the willing' model, where a subset of member states cooperates on specific policies, similar to the Schengen Zone.
- This pragmatic approach, termed 'pragmatic federalism,' is seen as a necessary solution given the current political climate, but it faces legal and political uncertainties.
- Areas like EU enlargement still require unanimity, posing challenges for future member negotiations, as seen with Ukraine's accession talks.