More efficient decision-making in social policy: Identification of areas for an enhanced move to qualified majority voting

Summary:

Communication presented on 16 April 2019 by the European Commission launching a discussion on how to render decision-making at EU level more efficient in the social policy field.

Further information:

Most social policy areas, where the EU has powers to act, are already subject to qualified majority voting. A very limited number of areas, however, still requires unanimity in the Council and special legislative procedures where the European Parliament does not have an equal role as co-decision maker. This has led to an uneven development of the social policy acquis.

With this Communication, the Commission is launching a debate on an enhanced use of qualified majority voting in social policy, rendering decision-making more timely, flexible and efficient where an EU competence already exists. This possibility is provided for in the EU Treaties for several specific areas through so-called passerelle clauses. These clauses allow for a shift from unanimity to qualified majority voting under certain circumstances.

• Alternative Source 1

Official

European Commission: Press Release, 16/04/2019: Commission launches debate on more efficient decision-making in EU social policy http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-19-2118_en.htm

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News

European Commission: Fact Sheet, 16/04/2019: More efficient decision-making in social policy – Questions and Answers http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-19-2120_en.htm

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