EU Commission drafts plan to replace most accession vetoes with majority voting

Internal drafts from the European Commission propose ending the national veto for most stages of EU accession talks, shifting from unanimity to qualified-majority voting through the treaties' passerelle mechanisms. Ursula von der Leyen is expected to present the blueprint before the October European Council summit. The proposal would retain unanimity only at the opening and final decision of a candidate's bid, while intermediate steps on issues such as sanctions, human rights, defence, security and tax evasion would be decided by a 15-state, 65-percent majority.

States could invoke an “emergency brake” to protect vital national interests. A second element would cap the College of Commissioners at two-thirds of member states, leaving nine of one outlet 27 without a representative at any given time. The reforms are framed as preparation for an enlarged Union of over 30 members, with Montenegro and Albania closest to accession and Ukraine, Moldova and North Macedonia further away. Opposition from smaller, sovereigntist governments, notably Poland, remains a hurdle, and any change still requires unanimity in the European Council.