German foreign minister backs abandoning EU's unanimity principle

The European Union should abandon the unanimity principle that governs most of its decision-making, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has told news outlets of the Funke Media Group in remarks published on Saturday.

Wadephul pointed in particular to a dispute with Hungary over a large loan to Ukraine backed by other EU members.

"We should abolish the unanimity principle in the EU in foreign and security policy before the end of the current legislative period so as to be better capable of acting internationally and to be truly grown-up," he was quoted as saying.

The next elections to the European Parliament have to be held in 2029.

Wadephul said he backed qualified majorities in voting by the EU's 27 member states.

"All the experience that we have gained over recent weeks with aid for Ukraine and sanctions on Russia indicate this," he said.

Hungary is currently blocking a loan to Ukraine.

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has accused Ukraine of preventing deliveries of Russian oil to Hungary and Slovakia through the Druzhba pipeline, which was damaged by Russian military action at Brody in western Ukraine in January.

Looking ahead to parliamentary elections in Hungary on April 12, Wadephul said it was up to Hungarians to choose their government and that Germany would work together with any Hungarian government.