So if we cut through the different spins on the Rule of Law mechanism, the result is sobering - and I really would have liked to believe the positive interpretations. But it again comes down to the point that #EUCO will settle the details of the mechanism by unanimity.
Thread:
Thread:
1/ The conclusions contain two decisions: First, there will be *a* mechanism under which the Council can adopt measures on the basis of a Commission proposal by QMV. So far so good. But there is zero specification on the criteria and rules for this, nor e.g. on blockable amounts. 
2/ This is where the second decision comes in: "The European Council will revert rapidly to the matter." As we know, "European Council" in Brusselese means "unanimity". And thus, all the details of the mechanism - and that is what matters - will have to be settled unanimously.
3/ Now of course from a legal/technical point of view, the Council could just adopt the Regulation putting in place the mechanism by QMV. That was true before this weekend and of course still holds. But this is a very fomalistic way of looking at things.
4/ All parliaments will have to ratify the new own-resources decision. So my assumption would be that there will be no ratification by some parliaments until there is agreement on all details of the (then essentially toothless) RoL mechanism.
5/ So in sum, the formulation in the conclusions is a bit ambiguous, but not ambiguous enough in my reading to assume that this has been any form of breakthrough. Whether or not the mechanism wil bite will depend on its design - and all countries will still have to agree to it.
