Scholz advocates eliminating the need for unanimous voting in the EU

BERLIN, Oct. 15 (DPA/EP) –

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz defended this Saturday the enlargement of the EU and the need for reforms, including the gradual elimination of the principle of unanimity in decision-making on fiscal or foreign policy issues.

Scholz has recognized that to achieve this goal there will still be “a lot of work”, “but I also say clearly: if a geopolitical Europe is our aspiration, then majority decisions are a gain and not a loss of sovereignty”.

The German leader has also highlighted the commitment to the candidate countries to enter the bloc, among which are several Balkan states and also Ukraine and Moldova.

“A united European Union of 27, 30 or 36 States, with more than 500 million free and equal citizens, can assert its weight more strongly in this world,” he argued during his speech at the Congress of the European Socialist Party ( PSE) held in Berlin.

Scholz has also opted for greater autonomy for the EU in defense matters. “Going forward, the EU will need a coordinated build-up of capabilities, joint procurement, a rapid reaction force by 2025, and a true headquarters for a clear leadership structure,” he said. “We must trust in our commitment to a common and European defense effort,” she added.

In addition, Scholz has called on EU member states to resolve conflicts over financial and migration policy among themselves. He considered that migration must be managed with foresight, reducing the irregular type and allowing the arrival of qualified workers from abroad.

Almost 300 delegates and more than 1,000 guests participate in the PES congress, including several heads of government, many party leaders and some EU commissioners. The PSE is made up of 33 European Social Democratic parties.

The congress began on Friday with the election of former Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven as the new leader with the support of 255 of the 262 delegates who voted, with seven abstentions and no votes against. Löfven replaces Sergei Stanishev after eleven years in the role.

The PSE has set the objective of becoming the main party in the European Parliament again and has closed its events this Saturday with its support for the women of Iran in the protests after the death of a woman arrested for wearing the veil incorrectly.