Institutional Reform Plans in the European Union

Institutional Reform Plans in the European UnionHungary will hold the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union in the second half of 2024.While institutional reform is not a priority in the programme of the Spanish-Belgian-Hungarian trio presidency -and thus is not expected to be in the programme of the Hungarian Presidency -political debates are expected to continue in the second half of 2024.The four proposals currently on the table -the institutionalisation of the Spitzenkandidat system, the introduction of transnational party lists, the abolition of unanimity in the Council and the extension of the powers of the European Parliament (EP) -all point to a deeper European integration.Hungary, while disagreeing with these aspirations, would like to maintain the status quo in some areas, while in others it would like to see a more limited cooperation in the future.Most of the proposals would require treaty amendment, but such a reform is unlikely to take place during the Hungarian Presidency, given that the focus of attention will be on the formation of the new European Parliament and European Commission.Besides, it would not be in Hungary's interest to convene an Intergovernmental Conference, as experience shows that they have either led to deeper integration or to the preservation of the existing legal framework but have in no way loosened the cooperation between Member States.Having said that, I see three possible courses of action for Hungary, which, if not fully, will enable it to achieve its objectives during and even after its Presidency: 1. Adoption of a Parliamentary resolution on Hungary's position; 2. Acquiring new allies by offering package deals; 3. Developing reform proposals that can be implemented within the current legislative framework.