d) More decisions taken by qualified majority voting

The Treaty of Lisbon extends qualified majority voting to new policy areas. It is very much in the European Union's interest to adopt a more streamlined approach to decision-making, including on issues such as fighting climate change, energy security and emergency humanitarian aid to hot-spots around the globe. Some of the other changes address issues like citizens' initiatives, diplomatic and consulate protection, and procedural matters. Unanimity is retained in areas including tax, foreign policy, defence and social security.

In the area of justice, freedom and security, the Treaty of Lisbon facilitates action at the European level through the use in almost all circumstances of the "Community method", i.e. qualified majority decision-making based on proposals from the Commission, involving also an enhanced role for the European Parliament, increased democratic control from national parliaments, and a scrutiny role for the Court of Justice.