A supermajority or a qualified majority is a requirement for a proposal to gain a specified level or type of support which exceeds a simple majority in order to have effect. As an example, in parliamentary procedure, any action that may alter the rights of the minority has a supermajority requirement called a two-thirds majority. Changes to constitutions, especially those with entrenched clauses, commonly require supermajority support in a legislature.
The European UnionCouncil of Ministers, in order to balance the interests of small and large member states, uses a qualified majority system for its decision-making.
The United States Senate requires a supermajority of 60 percent to move to a vote through a cloture motion, allowing a large minority to filibuster.
The United States Constitution not only requires a supermajority of two-thirds of both houses of Congress to propose an amendment but also it requires a three-fourths supermajority of state legislatures for final adoption.
