Twelve countries have already backed the initiative, with repeated obstruction by Viktor Orbán's Hungary increasingly fuelling calls for reform. #EuropeNews
At the same time Germany is totally fine to veto the EU-Israel trade agreement suspending. In this question Germany looks like two arms for the “unanimity among the bloc’s 27 countries” for questions related to Israel war crimes and genocide in Gaza.
The suspension of the trade agreement just requires a qualified majority and not unanimity. In other words Germany can not veto it and has not vetoed it. Hence the article uses the word reject, as Germany did not vote for the suspension. If only Germany did that, then the agreement would have been suspended, but as even the article you use clear shows, Italy did not support it as well.
Does your point not support abandoning anonymity? Perhaps Germany does not want to impose its Israel-related policy on other states by veto, while maintaining its own point of view?
You mean a nation state, complicit in genocide once again, violently suppressing pro-Palestinian voices is voluntarily surrendering their veto power, as to not impose their Staatsräson on other nation states within its sphere of influence? I don‘t think so!
Germany has leverage through it‘s size and influence in the EU, especially in scenarios with QMV (Qualified Majority Voting). So even without unanimity rule, it still has a lot of power to create consent.
Without the unanimity rule, they‘d become virtually impossible to outvote, as they only need a few allied countries, while still being able to build a blocking minority (this is what happened in the article posted by Sem, not a veto, but a block by minority vote). It would also have the power to discipline smaller countries, forcing them to tow the line, aka marginalizing them.
So contrary to your take, Germany is trying to maximize its power in the EU, which is in line with the aspirations of Merz wanting Germany to become a regional power again. The Hungary example has its basis, but I find it to be rather convenient for Germany‘s strategy.
Practically in terms of current conflicts this means for Germany: Become untouchable and a Blocker in regards to measures against Israel, while also easily force action on Ukraine.
I guess @sem@lemmy.ml’s is a typical ml comment. They just keep parroting the same propaganda over and again without even trying to understand the topic.
At the same time Germany is totally fine to veto the EU-Israel trade agreement suspending. In this question Germany looks like two arms for the “unanimity among the bloc’s 27 countries” for questions related to Israel war crimes and genocide in Gaza.
https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20260420-eu-gauge-member-states-willingness-take-measures-against-israel
This comment is incorrect. Not Germany nor any other country has veto rights on this agreement. They rejected it, using their normal vote.
The suspension of the trade agreement just requires a qualified majority and not unanimity. In other words Germany can not veto it and has not vetoed it. Hence the article uses the word reject, as Germany did not vote for the suspension. If only Germany did that, then the agreement would have been suspended, but as even the article you use clear shows, Italy did not support it as well.
Does your point not support abandoning anonymity? Perhaps Germany does not want to impose its Israel-related policy on other states by veto, while maintaining its own point of view?
You mean a nation state, complicit in genocide once again, violently suppressing pro-Palestinian voices is voluntarily surrendering their veto power, as to not impose their Staatsräson on other nation states within its sphere of influence? I don‘t think so!
Germany has leverage through it‘s size and influence in the EU, especially in scenarios with QMV (Qualified Majority Voting). So even without unanimity rule, it still has a lot of power to create consent.
Without the unanimity rule, they‘d become virtually impossible to outvote, as they only need a few allied countries, while still being able to build a blocking minority (this is what happened in the article posted by Sem, not a veto, but a block by minority vote). It would also have the power to discipline smaller countries, forcing them to tow the line, aka marginalizing them.
So contrary to your take, Germany is trying to maximize its power in the EU, which is in line with the aspirations of Merz wanting Germany to become a regional power again. The Hungary example has its basis, but I find it to be rather convenient for Germany‘s strategy.
Practically in terms of current conflicts this means for Germany: Become untouchable and a Blocker in regards to measures against Israel, while also easily force action on Ukraine.
Germany bad!
I guess @sem@lemmy.ml’s is a typical ml comment. They just keep parroting the same propaganda over and again without even trying to understand the topic.