this post was submitted on 09 Nov 2024
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I don't think any reasonable person can argue in good faith that Europe should rely on the US and Turkey in order to defend itself.
The EU is a bit of a mess, but I think it is a decent starting point for a defence union. The very reason it's so hard to make it happen - constant vetos by random countries who are reluctant to accept the majority opinion - is also what would make it good. Abusing power (by for example attacking) would be difficult, but there is a strong common interest in defending the borders of Schengen.
Yeah maybe the veto thing is a bit silly. Maybe these matters could be decided by a majority vote in the EU parliament.
The veto thing is the only way the individual countries can maintain their sovereignty. It’s a union, not federation. There should definitely be mutual cooperation on defence, immigration etc but nobody will agree to cooperation if they are obliged to follow other countries plan. Ireland, for instance is constitutionally neutral. Small countries won’t want to be bullied by larger, so France and Germany combine almost could control everything with simple majorities. Larger countries want the smaller countries to contribute their fair share and not be carried.
There isn't a binary «veto»/«simple majority». Supermajorities exist, and the Council already has rules like double-majorities to preserver a smaller country's voice. Vetoes only work for small groups, and cause gridlock in all other cases.
That's why article 42 is worded that way. Ireland (and Austria) not being able to contribute directly doesn't mean that the 25 other countries can't act.
I get that, which is why my response pointed out that it's not as simple as a majority of a veto, but that France/Germany combined has a large population bloc that means without them, it's very unlikely to happen.
Each countries sovereignty remaining is part of the EUs strength, but also it's weakness. Things like immigration are a trans continent problem and variations in policy, numbers of immigrants and refugees is problematic, even with Schengen. Cross border policies while retaining sovereignty are very difficult. Complex, and difficult to gain consensus.
The opacity of all this, with much of the EU business less visible than national governments, means there is less political capital to make things happen quicker when needed.