European Parliament decides with two thirds of votes cast - Main contents

The European Parliament adopts a proposal when two thirds of the votes cast is in favor and when the number of votes cast amounts to half plus one of the of all Members of Parliament (378 votes cast). Thus, a proposal requires 252 votes to pass.

Application

Voting by two thirds majority applies only in the two cases where it is explicitly mentioned in the European treaties. These are both cases of great political importance; voting on a motion of censure against the European Commission and when suspending a member state in case of serious violations of the values of the European Union.

Legal framework

Voting by two thirds majority in the European Parliament is based on the Treaty on European Union (TEU) and the Treaty on the functioning of the European Union (TFEU).

• - 

  application - motion of censure: sixth part TFEU title I chapter I section I art. 234
• - 

  application - suspending member state: seventh part TFEU art. 354