Parts of this article (those related to "pillars" before the Lisbon Treaty) need to beupdated.(October 2019) |
TheG6(Group of Six) in theEuropean Unionwas an unofficial group of the interior ministers of the six European states —France,Germany,Italy,Poland,Spain,and theUnited Kingdom(no longer as an aftermath ofBrexit)—with the largest populations and thus with the majority ofvotesin theCouncil of the European Union.The G6 was established in 2003 as G5 to deal withimmigration,terrorism,and enforcelaw and order.[1][2]In 2006, Poland joined the group, making it the G6. On 29 March 2017, the United Kingdom triggered Article 50, and left the European Union entirely on 31 January 2020, ending the G6, and beginning the G5 without the United Kingdom.
| G6 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Member State | Population | Votes in the Council | Notes | |
| Germany | 83,314,906 | 29 | 8.4% | |
| France | 65,027,000 | 29 | 8.4% | |
| United Kingdom | 63,182,000 | Left the EU in 2020 | ||
| Italy | 60,000,068 | 29 | 8.4% | |
| Spain | 47,016,894 | 27 | 7.8% | Joined in 2003 |
| Poland | 38,116,000 | 27 | 7.8% | Joined in 2006 |
| Total | 348,658,527 | 170 | 49.3% | |
Under thethird pillar of the EU,Police and Judicial Co-operation in Criminal Matters,powers are largelyintergovernmental;this is the one EU policy area where there is noCommissionmonopoly on proposing law.[3]In other policy areas, the commission can usually create balance among the states, but in this one, the G6 has a great deal of influence over the commission.
Nicolas Sarkozyhas called on the G6 to lead the Union following the dilution of the power ofFrance and Germanyafter the2004 enlargement of the European Union.[4]The lack of transparency and accountability of the G6 has been criticised by a number of figures, notably by a report in 2006 by the UK'sHouse of Lords.[5]
See also
edit- Area of freedom, security and justice
- Big Four (Western Europe)
- Brexit
- Council of the European Union
- Democratic deficit in the European Union
- European Commission
- Eurovision Song Contest
- EU three
- Group of Seven
- Inner Six
- Intergovernmentalism
- List of European Union member states by population
- Salzburg Forum
- Voting in the Council of the European Union
References
edit- ^EU G6 nations agree to fight terrorism and illegal immigration.WorkPermit.com. 27 October 2006.
- ^Reid urges human rights shake-up.BBC News.12 May 2007.
- ^Police and Judicial Co-operation in Criminal Matters: Will the EU Constitutional Treaty Keep it Together,Euractiv.com 08/04/04
- ^Sarkozy calls for 'G6' to lead EU,Financial Times
- ^European Union - Fortieth Report,House of Lords,United Kingdom
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