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Michel: Dropping EU unanimity risks influence, Hungary blocks Ukraine accession

4/25/2026

Summary

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Former European Council President Charles Michel warned that abandoning the EU’s unanimity rule could weaken its influence.
He said the Treaty of Lisbon veto should be used only when national interests are at stake.
Michel noted that Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s electoral loss may not automatically improve EU cohesion.
He reminded that Hungary’s repeated veto has stalled Ukraine’s EU accession talks, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky demands full membership.

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Story summary

Former European Council President Charles Michel warned that abandoning the EU’s unanimity rule could weaken its influence.
He said the Treaty of Lisbon veto should be used only when national interests are at stake.
Michel noted that Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s electoral loss may not automatically improve EU cohesion.
He reminded that Hungary’s repeated veto has stalled Ukraine’s EU accession talks, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky demands full membership.