European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has floated the increased use of enhanced cooperation among willing member states to bypass unanimity in areas such as competitiveness.
Speaking at an EU leaders’ retreat in the Belgian countryside in February, she said: “Our ambition should always be to reach agreement among all 27 member states. However, where a lack of progress or ambition risks undermining Europe’s competitiveness or capacity to act, we should not shy away from using the possibilities foreseen in the treaties under enhanced cooperation.”
Why it might not work: While Hungary has opted out of Ukraine-related financial arrangements, alongside Czechia and Slovakia, it continues to block these efforts. On the Ukraine loan, for example, one of the bills that needs approval before the cash can be disbursed requires the agreement of all member countries.
“In cases of very urgent need, this can be a vehicle, but in the end it still comes back to a decision by all 27,” one senior diplomat said.
Two other diplomats were critical of these restricted formats, saying they should be exceptions rather than the new norm. “We have to look at this subject case by case, but I don’t think we have an interest in not having Hungary at the table. We are the EU, and we have to preserve unity,” one diplomat said.
3. Stronger enforcement and financial pressure
Another option is more aggressive enforcement measures, such as withholding EU cash.