There is no NATO majority vote
NATO decisions are made by consensus. In practice, allies consult until a position acceptable to all members is reached. That means a NATO decision is an expression of the collective will of its sovereign members rather than an instruction imposed by a supranational majority.
The North Atlantic Council is NATO's principal political decision-making body. The same consensus principle extends through subordinate committees, so national governments retain a direct role throughout the system.
Why consensus creates both strength and friction
Consensus gives every ally a voice and makes collective decisions politically powerful once agreement exists. It can also give a single government leverage over timing, wording or scope. NATO's Secretary General helps facilitate consultation but does not possess an independent vote capable of overriding a member state.
This is why disagreements inside NATO should not automatically be read as institutional failure. Negotiation is built into the design. The meaningful question is whether disagreement can be converted into a common position when action is required.
What Article 5 does and does not do
Article 5 creates a collective-defence obligation after an armed attack when the attacked ally requests or consents to collective action. NATO notes that the treaty does not prescribe one mechanical procedure for triggering the obligation. Allies meet in the North Atlantic Council to assess the situation and determine collective action.
Article 5 is therefore a commitment, not an automatic computer program. Political assessment, national decisions and alliance consultation still matter to how assistance is delivered.