EU pushes ahead, forming ‘lead groups’ to bypass obstructive members
In the media image: Christian Lue on Unsplash
To speed up decision-making, the EU wants to make more use of so-called ‘coalitions of the willing’ under the enhanced cooperation mechanism. Joris Larik (Leiden University College and Europa Institute) comments in ‘Het Financieele Dagblad’.
'One major point of criticism has always been that the EU is relatively easy to paralyse,' says Larik. For sensitive dossiers that require unanimity, one Member State can block the entire process. Following the recent informal EU summit in Belgium, Larik sees a broader trend to circumvent obstructing countries: 'There’s a growing realisation that it’s a dead end for the EU if one single country can block further cooperation in areas such as competitiveness, the internal market and capital markets union.'
Enhanced cooperation can also put pressure on doubting Member States. Larik emphasises the strategic nature of this mechanism: 'Plan A is to start with everyone from the start. If that doesn't work, we'll switch to plan B, because this is going to happen anyway.' In combination with clear deadlines, this can be a powerful tool to get countries to tow the line.
As an example, Larik points to the eurozone. Although not officially seen as enhanced cooperation, he says it's an example of the pull factor. 'Although there have certainly been problems along the way, I’d still say the eurozone is a tremendous economic and geopolitical success. The euro has become the second most important reserve currency in the world.'
At the same time, Larik warns of certain risks. A ‘two-speed’ Europe can tackle stagnation, but ‘it would be a shame if this turns out not to be an interim solution, but the start of increasing fragmentation.’ In the long run, the image of a single power bloc remains crucial.
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Read the full article in FD (€, in Dutch)