The European Parliament adopted a resolution calling on the European Council to agree to start the process to revise the EU Treaties.

In light of the array of ongoing and recent crises, MEPs used their prerogative to call for the EU Treaties to be changed in a number of ways. The MEPs are calling for the reforming of voting procedures in the Council to enhance the European Union's capacity to act, including switching from unanimity to qualified majority voting in areas such as sanctions, the so-called passerelle clauses, and in emergencies.

A qualified majority is reached if two conditions are met: 55% of member states vote in favour - in practice this means 15 out of 27, and the proposal is supported by member states representing at least 65% of the total EU population.

The passerelle clauses are a mechanism for introducing treaty change of a very specific nature. They modify the decision-making rules that affect acts of the Council, by allowing a shift from unanimity to qualified majority voting or from a special legislative procedure to the ordinary legislative procedure.

The MEPs are also calling for the treaties to be changed by adapting the EU's powers, especially in the areas of health and cross-border health threats, in the completion of the energy union based on efficiency and renewables in line with international agreements on climate change, in defence, and in social and economic policies.

MEPs also called for the treaties to change by providing Parliament with the right to initiate, amend or revoke legislation, and with full rights as a co-legislator on the EU budget, among other things.

The resolution was adopted with 355 votes in favour, 154 against, and 48 abstentions.

It will be up to the 27 member states' heads of state or government at the European Council to decide to set up a Convention, by simple majority. Many MEPs have called for this to happen at the earliest opportunity, which would be the EU summit on 23-24 June, to ensure that citizens' expectations are met and that the outcome of the Conference on the Future of Europe is put to good use as soon as possible. The Convention should comprise MEPs, Commissioners, MPs from the member states, and EU leaders.