European Parliament activates process to change EU Treaties

On Thursday, Parliament adopted a resolution calling on the European Council to agree to start the process to revise the EU Treaties.

In light of the array of ongoing and recent crises, MEPs used their prerogative to call for the Treaties to be changed by:

(*) reforming voting procedures in the Council to enhance the European Union’s capacity to act, including switching from unanimity to qualified majority voting, in areas such as sanctions, the so-called passerelle clauses, and in emergencies;
(*) adapting the EU’s powers, especially in the areas of health and cross-border health threats, in the completion of the energy union based on efficiency and renewables in line with international agreements on climate change, in defence, and in social and economic policies;
(*) ensuring that the European Pillar of Social Rights is fully implemented and incorporating social progress, linked to a Social Progress Protocol, into the Treaties;
(*) making the EU economy more resilient, with special attention paid to small and medium-sized enterprises and competitiveness checks, and promoting investments focused on the just, green and digital transitions;
(*) providing Parliament with the right to initiate, amend or revoke legislation, and with full rights as a co-legislator on the EU budget; and
(*) strengthening the procedure to protect the EU’s founding values and clarifying the determination and consequences of breaches ( 7 TEU and the Charter of Fundamental Rights).

The resolution was adopted with 355 votes in favour, 154 against, and 48 abstentions, following a debate earlier on the same day.

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