EU Must Abandon Unanimity Principle in Foreign Policy, Says Wadaful

In a recent interview with the German publication WAZ, Federal Foreign Minister Johann Wadaful articulated his belief that the European Union (EU) must abandon the principle of unanimity in its foreign policy. According to Wadaful, this issue is not only tied to Hungary's stance but is fundamental to the EU's overall capacity to act effectively on the global stage.

When asked by journalists how the EU's dependence on Hungary's blocking position affects its foreign policy, Wadaful responded, "Absolutely! And this is, by the way, fundamentally a question of European capability, independent of Hungary. I advocate for working within the European Union based on a qualified majority system."

The minister emphasized that the experiences the EU has gained in recent weeks regarding support for Ukraine and the imposition of sanctions against Russia underscore the necessity for change. "To be a viable actor on the international stage, to truly mature, we must abolish the principle of unanimity in foreign and security policy by the end of this legislative period," he stated.

Wadaful also highlighted that the European Union is the largest shared economic space in the world, and it is crucial to convert this economic power into political influence. "Therefore, we can no longer afford to be blocked by individual states," he stressed, pointing to the need for changes in the EU's political processes.

This position resonates with recent statements made by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who also emphasized the need for more effective decision-making. She noted that Europe must rely on a qualified majority rather than unanimity to ensure its effectiveness in foreign policy.

It is worth recalling that on December 19, 2025, leaders of EU states, including Hungary, made a political decision to grant Ukraine a loan of €90 billion, which will cover two-thirds of the country's financial needs for 2026-2027. However, the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Slovakia will not bear the financial burden associated with this loan, as the decision was made under the procedure of enhanced cooperation.

Following this, Hungary effectively blocked the opening of the European credit line for Ukraine, justifying its actions by alleging that Ukraine violated the Association Agreement by halting the transit of Russian oil through the Druzhba pipeline. This move sparked outrage among other European leaders.

President of the European Council António Costa labeled the behavior of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán as unacceptable, emphasizing the necessity to adhere to already made decisions. This incident serves as a glaring example of how the blocking actions of one country can impact the collective decisions of the EU.

Thus, Wadaful's calls for the abolition of the unanimity principle in foreign policy could represent a significant step towards enhancing the effectiveness of the European Union in the face of contemporary challenges confronting the continent.