EU Decision-Making: Qualified Majority Voting (QMV)

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Questions and Answers

What is one of the more distinctive traits of EU decision-making?

Veto culture

Normative environment of mutual accommodation (correct)

Dictatorial decision-making

Majority rule without regard to national population size

What is the primary role of the GSC Legal Service within the Council?

Providing impartial legal advice to member states (correct)

Implementing legislative decisions independently

Leading negotiations with the European Parliament

Acting as a voting representative for the Council

In Qualified Majority Voting (QMV), how is each member state's vote determined?

By the economic power of the country

Proportionate to national population size (correct)

By the historical voting record

By the size of the geographical territory

What is a key characteristic of the voting system based on unanimity in the EU Council?

Each member state has a veto right Signup and view all the answers

What does the 'double majority' system of QMV require since 2014?

Support of at least 55 per cent of member states Signup and view all the answers

How do abstentions impact the voting process under unanimity in the EU Council?

They allow a member to signal disagreement without blocking adoption Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the 'blocking minority' in the QMV system?

To serve as a procedural safeguard against hypothetical big-states blocking coalitions Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following policy areas is still subject to unanimity in the EU Council?

Foreign policy decisions Signup and view all the answers

Why do some members of the EU Council want to change from unanimity to Qualified Majority Voting on certain issues?

To prevent differences between member states in negotiations Signup and view all the answers

Which group of countries is mentioned as being in favor of changing from unanimity to Qualified Majority Voting in the EU Council?

Spain, Canada, Japan, Russia Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of the European Council?

To decide on the general political priorities of the EU Signup and view all the answers

How often does the European Council meet formally each year?

At least twice a year in June and December Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is true about the President of the European Council attending summits?

The President attends all summits but not the European Parliament President Signup and view all the answers

How is the President of the European Council selected?

By a qualified majority chosen by EU heads of state Signup and view all the answers

Which entity within the EU is composed of national ministers from each EU country?

Council of the EU (EU Council) Signup and view all the answers

In which GSC department would you find the Legal Service?

Legal Affairs Department Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

European Council and EU Council

The European Council comprises the heads of state and government of the EU member states, representing the 'European' interest, and defining the EU's general political direction and priorities.
The European Council meets formally at least twice a year, in June and December, and at least twice more as 'informal' gatherings typically organized around a specific topic or theme.
The European Council President is selected by a qualified majority for a two-and-a-half-year term, renewable once.
The European Council also manages unexpected events and crises.

Voting in the EU Council

There are two categories of voting in the EU Council: Unanimity and Qualified Majority Voting (QMV).
Under QMV, each member state's vote is proportionate to national population size, with a 'double majority' system requiring at least 55% of member states and 65% of the EU population.
At least four member states representing at least 35% of the EU's population can form a 'blocking minority', a procedural safeguard against hypothetical big-states blocking coalitions.

Unanimity Voting

With unanimity, any member state can block a proposal with a “no” vote, giving each member a veto right.
Abstentions do not count as 'no' votes, allowing members to signal disagreement without blocking adoption.
Key areas still subject to unanimity include foreign policy, defence, security, and judicial and police cooperation in criminal matters.

Qualified Majority Voting (QMV)

QMV promotes a normative environment of mutual accommodation and consensus-seeking, rather than a 'voting/veto' culture.
Some member states, such as Spain, Germany, Finland, France, and Italy, want to change the unanimity voting process to QMV on issues like the common foreign and security policy.

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Description

Explore the concept of Qualified Majority Voting (QMV) in the EU decision-making process. Learn how each member state's vote is proportionate to national population size and understand the 'double majority' system implemented since 2014.