This article is the second in a series of eight introducing the Liberal White Book: Europe 2030, the European Liberal Forum’s flagship publication highlighting the challenges that the EU faces and presenting a range of future policy options from well-trodden ground of concentric circles, to more flexible “clubs”, or a “bare-bones plus clubs” hybrid. 

The European Union is hindered by the shortcomings of its institutions and structures. Various disruptions within the framework reduce its efficacy and efficiency. It is even less possible to tolerate such disruptions whilst the EU the post-pandemic landscape.

The EU should focus on the following three areas:

1. Overcoming policy gridlock – while adhering to the subsidiarity principle.
2. Increasing institutions’ efficacy – while closing the democratic deficit.
3. Enhancing European integration – in a flexible way.

A majority is enough

When it comes to policy gridlock, each of the 27 member states has its own policy preferences, which sometimes split the Union into blocs along geographical divides. This heterogeneity slows down policymaking process, especially when unanimity is required. Certain actors may use their veto power to derail them completely. The resulting compromises are based on the lowest-common denominator in order to achieve decisions backed by consensus. All too often, these lead to ineffectiveness and weakened …