Former European Council President Charles Michel Calls for Caution on Ending EU Unanimity

Former European Council President Charles Michel, who led the Council from 2019 to 2024, publicly urged EU leaders to think carefully before discarding the unanimity requirement that underpins decision-making among the 27 member states. He argued that removing the veto could weaken the bloc’s international weight.

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The unanimity rule is enshrined in the Treaty of Lisbon, requiring all member states to agree on certain foreign-policy and treaty-change decisions. Hungary has repeatedly used its veto to block Ukraine’s accession talks, a practice Michel warned should be reserved for vital national interests only.

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• 2019-2024: Charles Michel serves as President of the European Council.

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• 2022: Ukraine formally applies for EU membership following Russia’s full-scale invasion.

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• 2026 (April): Michel, in an interview with Euronews, cautions against discarding unanimity and references Viktor Orbán’s recent electoral defeat in Hungary.

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• Charles Michel – former European Council President (2019-2024)

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• Viktor Orbán – former Hungarian Prime Minister, recently defeated in elections

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• European Council – collective body of the 27 EU member states

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• Ukraine – candidate for EU membership since 2022

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• 27 EU member states must give unanimous consent for treaty changes and specific foreign-policy decisions.

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• Hungary’s veto has delayed Ukraine’s accession talks repeatedly since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.

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Scrapping unanimity could accelerate decisions but risks marginalising smaller states and undermining the “European dream” of collective agreement. Michel warned that weakening the veto could diminish the EU’s weight on the international stage, especially as Ukraine seeks full membership after Russia’s invasion.

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Michel emphasized that the European project is “more needed than ever” and that future Council meetings should be “more united.” He cautioned that any move to abandon unanimity “should not be taken lightly,” and noted that certain Council members had previously aligned with Orbán’s stance. He reiterated that the veto should be used only when vital national interests are at stake.

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• “think carefully” — Charles Michel, former European Council President

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• “Michel, who led the European Council from 2019 to 2024, said the “European dream” depends on collective agreement among all 27 member states.” — Charles Michel

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• “Unanimity is a challenge, there is no doubt,” — Charles Michel

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• “But decisions to abandon it should not be taken lightly. If you stop trying to involve every country, you risk weakening the EU’s weight on the international stage.” — Charles Michel

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• “Some in the European Council were hiding behind Viktor Orbán,” — Charles Michel

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The European Council is slated to discuss possible reforms to the unanimity rule in upcoming meetings, while Ukraine continues to pursue full membership despite ongoing Hungarian opposition.

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