Following the German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (CDU), Manfred Weber, a European political figure from the CSU, has also questioned the principle of unanimity within the EU. Speaking to the Funke media group’s newspapers, the party and parliamentary group leader of the European People’s Party stated, “In these geopolitically turbulent times, we urgently need a capable Europe”. He argued that an EU where the slowest members set the pace or where individual states can block progress with a veto would become a political pawn manipulated by figures like Trump, Putin, and Xi Jinping. Wadephul had previously told Funke papers that “to be a capable international actor and truly mature, we should abolish the principle of unanimity in foreign and security policy”. Instead, Wadephul advocated for a system of qualified majority votes, pointing to Germany’s recent experiences regarding aid for Ukraine and sanctions against Russia as evidence supporting this view. This sentiment was highlighted by the ongoing blockade of a €90 billion EU loan for Ukraine by the Hungarian government led by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Hungary is scheduled to elect a new parliament on April 12, and Orbán’s continued tenure is uncertain, as the opposition party, with its top candidate Peter Magyar, has a clear lead in polls. Weber added that “the Greenland crisis demonstrated how strong Europe is when we act quickly, cohesively, and with one voice, representing our interests decisively. This very capability is what we need now in foreign and security policy”. He praised Wadephul’s initiative, stating, “It is right and necessary that Germany takes the lead and assumes responsibility here because only together as Europeans can we survive”.
Weber Challenges EU Veto Power Demanding Actionable Bloc
