European Liberals Propose Joint Veto to Accelerate EU Enlargement

The Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) is calling on the bloc’s institutions to limit the power of national governments to impose vetoes in foreign policy and is advocating for a „joint veto“ under which EU decisions could only be blocked by a group of five member states representing at least five percent of the Union’s population.

The proposal for such an EU policy is part of a resolution seen by Brussels-based Politico, which will be discussed and voted on by hundreds of ALDE delegates, including representatives of the Dutch D66 party, the Estonian Reform Party, and Romania’s USR, at the congress in Vienna today and tomorrow.

Liberal parties, including 12 in governments across the EU, are expected to agree on 17 resolutions, ranging from the economy to the banning of social networks and Ukraine, including „Joint Veto and EU Enlargement Now.“

The draft resolution on enlargement assesses that, despite statements from the European Commission, the process is once again stagnating, that global instability requires strengthening regional cooperation and unity on European soil, and that institutional stability and reforms of the European project go „hand in hand“ with enlargement and the integration of candidates into the EU in the coming years.

It is stated that the countries of the Western Balkans, especially North Macedonia and Montenegro, have endured a disproportionately long and frustrating waiting period for integration into the EU, which undermines trust and stability in this strategically vital region.

It is explained that the implementation of the joint veto system is proposed to replace the current system and to avoid a situation where one country „hijacks“ the decision-making process of the entire EU.

According to the proposal, a veto could only be imposed by a group of countries representing at least 15 percent of the number of EU member states and at least five percent of its population, which in practice means at least five member states representing 22.5 million citizens, Politico reported.

It is stated that the joint veto system would be applied in all policy areas but does not represent an attempt to diminish the qualified majority voting system where it already exists or to take away the rights of EU member states.

The proposal also calls for accelerating the sectoral integration of candidate countries for membership, based on alignment with the EU acquis, in order to more quickly realize benefits for citizens and businesses while simultaneously strengthening the strategic resilience and credibility of the enlargement process.

The liberals have also advocated for the Accession Treaty with Montenegro to be used as a tool for reforming the EU and its way of functioning.

The congress of European liberals is taking place at a difficult time for ALDE and Renew Europe, its group in the European Parliament, where the European People’s Party is increasingly relying on far-right votes and the Socialists and Democrats are turning to the left.

The EU’s liberal party is the leading European centrist party, bringing together more than 70 liberal and democratic parties and advocating for European integration, a free market, and the protection of human rights.