Cracks are forming in the European Union's self-proclaimed principle of "one Europe." Since its launch in 1993, the EU pushed integration for more than 30 years with "one market, one rule" as a core principle.
Recently, however, a movement has emerged to institutionalize differences among member states based on national power and size. The reality is that the existing system of acting by unanimity among 27 member states cannot keep up with rapidly changing global dynamics, U.S.-led protectionism, and security crises.
Germany and France on the 28th (local time) formally unveiled a plan to convene finance ministers of the EU's six core countries (G6)—Italy, Spain, Poland, and the Netherlands—by video and launch a separate consultative body. These six countries account for 70% of the EU's total gross domestic product (GDP).
According to local outlets including Deutsche Welle (DW) and Euronews, German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil said the two countries agreed that "maintaining the status quo is no longer an option," in a joint letter with French Finance Minister Roland Lescure sent ahead of the video meeting. At an event held in Berlin the same day, he also said, "Europe can no longer survive by clinging only to consensus among all 27 countries," adding, "Now is the time for 'differentiated integration.'"
This move stems from reflection on the EU's helplessness amid recent geopolitical crises. Since its launch, the EU has expanded its influence on the global stage by leveraging its vast single market and a population nearing 500 million. In the process, policy decisions relied on unanimity or quasi-unanimity. From the outset of integration, this was chosen to minimize concerns about infringement of sovereignty among member states and to uphold the principle that all participate equally in decision-making regardless of national size.
But after the number of members grew to 27, this structure increasingly became a constraint. Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, security tensions have intensified, and more recently supply chain conflicts with China have deepened. Amid this, the EU repeatedly missed the timing to respond while trying to reconcile the interests of 27 countries.
In responding to the Russia-Ukraine war, some Eastern European countries such as Hungary exercised vetoes, delaying sanctions against Russia. A free trade agreement (FTA) with South America's Mercosur has also drifted for years due to opposition from agricultural countries. The Washington Post (WP) said, "The EU's strength comes from its size, but that size is now producing policy paralysis."
The America First stance shown by U.S. President Donald Trump was the decisive trigger for Germany and France to pull the lever. Citing experts, the WP said, "Officials in the Trump administration have mocked the time it takes for the EU's 27 countries to make decisions," adding, "Trump's actions signaled that, in trade and defense, the EU is no longer a reliable partner for the United States." With the U.S. security umbrella uncertain, Europe faces an urgent need to secure the defense capability and economic self-reliance to protect itself.
The G6 framework proposed by Germany and France declares that capable major countries will forge ahead in key areas without waiting for agreement from all 27. The logic is that if the core countries first reach agreement and begin execution, others can follow after seeing results. Minister Klingbeil said, "As Europe's six largest economies, if we take the lead, momentum can build."
The four core agendas the G6 said it will tackle are squarely focused on "survival." All are long-term EU tasks and politically sensitive issues. They center on a savings-investment union to facilitate corporations' capital raising, strengthening the euro's international standing, expanding cooperation on defense expenditure, and securing supply chains for critical raw materials such as rare earths. In particular, cooperation in defense is seen as an attempt to reduce reliance on the United States and build Europe's independent defense capacity.
German Finance Minister Klingbeil stressed, "We should elevate defense to the top priority in the next EU multiannual budget and make the defense industry a new growth engine," adding, "There is no more time for debate in defense and supply chains." The WP reported that this is being read as a signal that the G6 framework will seek an independent course not only in economic cooperation but also in military and diplomatic domains across Europe.
This choice directly collides with the core principles the EU has pursued. The EU has argued that "only by sticking together can we stand up to the United States and China." If Germany and France opt for selective solidarity in a crisis, the political rationale for "one Europe" is undermined at its roots.
In particular, small countries that already had weaker voices within the EU worry they will be further excluded from major policy decisions. Critics say Europe could split into a G6-centered "core Europe" and a periphery. This could also lead to fissures within the eurozone. Political outlet Politico analyzed, "While the leading member states of the EU may find it easier to push certain initiatives, smaller countries within the bloc and newer Eastern European members risk being sidelined in the process."
Germany and France are resolute. The video meeting is largely a prelude to next month's Eurogroup (eurozone finance ministers' forum) session. Germany and France plan to finalize a concrete agenda at next month's Eurogroup meeting and operate the G6 like a standing consultative body. With the EU's center weakened after Britain's Brexit, this is an expression of Germany and France's intent to seize the initiative again and exercise strong leadership.
The German government emphasized, "The G6 is not a fixed club, and participation is open." Even so, with core countries holding the pen on initial design and direction, most agree it will be hard to avoid a sense of exclusion among others. Nikolai von Ondarza, a researcher at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP), said, "The EU now faces a choice between speed and inclusiveness."