The Czech Foreign Minister, Petr Macinka, rejected the EU reform plans proposed by his German counterpart, Johann Wadephul (CDU). Speaking to the “Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung”, Macinka stated, “I do not believe that Europe can be saved by abstract visions from Brussels” adding that altering existing rules and treaties would be difficult.
Wadephul had previously outlined several core principles for the EU, including the need to abolish the unanimity principle in foreign and security policy and implement qualified majorities.
Macinka, who leads the EU-critical Motoristenpartei, strongly disagreed with these proposals. “I believe this cannot be accepted by many countries, especially the smaller ones” he told the “FAZ”. He concluded that eliminating the national veto is extremely challenging. Macinka emphasized that the process must be based on consensus, noting that a country exercising its veto power does not necessarily mean it is intent on causing problems. Rather, he suggested that the country is simply dealing with its own internal challenges, forcing it to take this particular route.