In the EU Law, voting is defined differently than just a simple majority of 51% to carry through a policy decision or a piece of legislation, etc. Decisions are taken in the EU by debate and negotiation between The Council; The European Commission; and The European Parliament.
The voting procedure in The Council, consisting of authorised representatives of each member State is of two types: unanimous if vital national interests are at stake; and “a qualified majority” with minimum of 255 votes, representing 62% of the EU population. It is based on differential weighting according to the size and influence of the State.
On 31st March 2017 when UK triggers Article 50, from next day EU population excluding UK will become 446 million. Currently there is a total of 352 votes with UK holding 29 votes. On 1st April 2017, it will become a total of 323 votes. The Commission is comprised of 28 Commissioners. 27 Commissioners after UK leaves. It has a staff of 24,000. It acts by a simple majority.
Finally, there is the European Parliament that has 753 MEPs. UK has 73 MEPs. Voting there is on a majority basis. The demographics of the European Union will change dramatically. Germany (18%); France (15%); Italy (14%); Spain (10%) and Poland (9%), a total of 66% of the reduced EU population of 446 million.
In Brexit, vital national interests are at stake. A much higher than a simple majority needs to be applied.
Nagindas Khajuria
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