What is veto power? Name the five countries which have the veto power in Security Council?
- Veto is the power vested in any person or authority in an organisation to stop a decision by overruling the opinion of the majority. This means that any decision cannot be taken until it has the consent of the authority that wields the veto power. However, veto power can be utilised only as a negative vote and not as a positive vote for adopting a decision.
- Under Article 27 of the UN Charter, Security Council decisions on all substantive matters require the affirmative votes of nine members. A veto by a permanent member prevents adoption of a proposal, even if it has received the required number of affirmative votes.
- Permanent members of the Security Council:
- China
- France
- Russia
- United Kingdom
- United States