In essence, the British did not ask for an "emergency brake" clause or opt-out for financial regulation.What they asked for was a protocol imposing decision-making by unanimity on a number of areas of regulation currently decided by majority voting.
However, article 235 required decision-making by unanimity in the Council and decreased the role of the EP, which now only needed to be consulted.
Decisions are reached by unanimity, majority, or consensus (to avoid voting).
In a group of democracies, where big decisions are taken by unanimity, consensus is hard to come by and takes time.
Asked recently if the constitution lets foreign-policy decisions be made by unanimity or majority vote, the convention's spokesman refused to answer and invited journalists to work it out themselves.
Discrepancies were discussed, and decisions were made by unanimity.
"By prompting a rule on how the decision will be made — by unanimity, majority or delegation — you can significantly influence what will be decided," note the authors.
Traditionally, the jury had 12 members and was required to reach its decision with unanimity.
All MEPs knew that under article 235, decisions had to be made by unanimity.
Second is that "the use of any passerelle would require primary legislation", referring to a clause in the Lisbon treaty that allows the governments to agree – by unanimity – to switch decision-making in certain areas to majority voting.
"These European Union measures are nothing to get hysterical about," Mr. Haider said, adding that other European ministers would have to get used to talking to the government members from his party because decisions in the 15-member bloc are taken by unanimity.
