Because the “the EU is built on
consensus at 27” states,[1]
by 2026 it had become painfully obvious to Europe’s elite that its Union had come
to harbor a great disadvantage in terms of united or collective action because political
consensus can be elusive even at 27 states, each of which could result to a
veto on reforms at the federal level, with enlargement of the Union from 27 on
the horizon. Something had to be done, given the intransigence of the principle
of unanimity in the European Council and the Council of Ministers. Direct
access of the state governments at the federal level could stave off too much
federal encroachment on the prerogatives of the state governments, but the
costs associated with this safeguard were becoming too high. Therefore, in February,
2026, E.U. state and federal officials met to give added weight to something
called “two-track Europe.” In actuality, there were already more than two
tracks in the European Union. Although complex, the means of releasing the Union
from the high bar needed to achieve unanimity or even consensus among the several
states could well save the Union from the paralysis of division. The outdated
premise that united action should only be allowed when there is no division had
become too utopian for federal Europe. Multiple-speed Europe in the E.U. is actually
more in line with the E.U.’s federal system already being genuine.
The full essay is at "On the E.U.'s Complex Federal System."
1. Jorge Liboreiro, “Leaders Embrace Two-Speed Europe to Break Impasse as Macron Sets June Deadline for Economic Reset,” Euronews.com, February 12, 2026.
