MEP Sven Simon, on behalf of the European Parliament's Committee on Constitutional Affairs, has submitted a written question to the Council asking what legal and procedural adjustments are needed to strengthen the EU's ability to act in a changing geopolitical environment. The question, tabled on 28 April 2026, targets the Council's assessment of whether the current EU legal framework provides suitable conditions for political steering, timely decision-making, and the review or adjustment of decisions in the face of external challenges.
first, what adjustments the Council considers appropriate and feasible to further develop EU governance and decision-making processes; second, what political and legal instruments could be considered to implement potential changes. The phrasing is open-ended, inviting the Council to outline its own priorities rather than prescribing specific reforms.
Policy orientation and ambition Simon's question reflects a growing concern among EU institutions about the Union's capacity to respond swiftly to crises such as geopolitical rivalries, strategic dependencies, and security threats. By framing the issue as one of governance structure and decision-making processes, the question signals a desire for deeper institutional reform rather than ad hoc measures. The reference to 'review and adjustment of decisions' suggests interest in mechanisms for policy flexibility and possibly faster legislative procedures.
Expected follow-up The Council is expected to reply within approximately six weeks, by mid-June 2026. The answer will indicate whether the Council shares the Parliament's sense of urgency and which specific reforms it is willing to consider. A substantive reply could pave the way for inter-institutional dialogue on treaty change or legislative initiatives, while a vague response may signal reluctance to engage on structural reform.
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