Dossier · Own-initiative report

Reform of the European Electoral Act – hurdles to ratification and implementation in the Member States

Reference: 2025/2028(INI) Own-initiative report
Where it stands: Parliament adopted the text on 20 January 2026. This is its final position on the matter.
Stage: Parliament’s position
Lead committee: Constitutional Affairs AFCO

More facts (5)

Author: Borja GIMÉNEZ LARRAZ
Shadow rapporteurs: 6 members
Decisions in plenary: 1
Last vote: 20 Jan 2026 · Adopted
Versions: 3 versions

Author: Borja GIMÉNEZ LARRAZ
Shadow rapporteurs: 6 members
Decisions in plenary: 1
Last vote: 20 Jan 2026 · Adopted
Versions: 3 versions

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Legislative Observatory

Link to this page

Where it stands

The steps of this kind of dossier and how far it has come, from the procedure file.

Referred to committee (done) 23 January 2025
Committee work (done) Report adopted 3 December 2025
Tabled for plenary (done) 8 December 2025
Plenary vote (done) Adopted 20 January 2026
Parliament’s position (done) Final

Parliament sets out its own position on a topic. The resolution is not binding but signals what Parliament wants.

People

Committees and members responsible for the dossier, as the procedure file names them. Groups as recorded there.

Lead committee: Constitutional Affairs AFCO
Author: Borja GIMÉNEZ LARRAZ (EPP)
Shadow rapporteurs: Idoia MENDIA (S&D), Juan Carlos GIRAUTA VIDAL (Patriots), Patryk JAKI (ECR), Charles GOERENS (Renew), Reinier VAN LANSCHOT (Greens), Nikolas FARANTOURIS (The Left)

Decisions in plenary, 1

Every decision Parliament took on this dossier, newest first.

**Effect**: what the decision did. **Final vote**: for–against–abstained, and how it was recorded.
Date	Decision	Kind	Effect	Final vote
20 Jan 2026	Reform of the European Electoral Act – hurdles to ratification and implementation in the Member States	Resolutions	Adopted	417 for, 234 against, 9 abstained by roll call

Voting grid

Export

Every roll-call vote on the dossier, in date and voting order, with each group's line at the date of the vote.

Each group's clear line at the date of the vote: a position with at least two thirds of the group's votes (at least 10 members voting), otherwise Divided; “< 10 voted” when fewer took part. Result: outcome, for–against–abstained (method).

Voting grid of 2025/2028(INI): one row per roll call, one column per group, then the result.
Vote	The Left	Greens	S&D	Renew	EPP	ECR	Patriots	ESN	Result
20 Jan 2026 Paragraph 2 — part 1	For	For	For	For	For	For	For	For	Adopted645–12–0
20 Jan 2026 Paragraph 2 — part 2	Divided	For	For	For	For	Against	Against	Against	Adopted419–193–37
20 Jan 2026 Amendment 2, adding text after paragraph 3	Against	Against	Against	Against	Against	For	For	For	Rejected202–445–5
20 Jan 2026 Paragraph 3 — part 3	Divided	For	For	For	For	Against	Against	Against	Adopted379–216–53
20 Jan 2026 Amendment 4, adding text after paragraph 5	Against	Against	Against	Against	Against	For	For	For	Rejected195–439–8
20 Jan 2026 Amendment 5, adding text after paragraph 12	Against	Against	Against	Against	Against	For	For	For	Rejected198–441–11
20 Jan 2026 Recital B — part 2	Divided	For	For	For	For	Against	Against	Against	Adopted427–212–24
20 Jan 2026 Separate vote on recital C	For	For	For	For	For	For	For	For	Adopted645–14–0
20 Jan 2026 Recital F — part 2	Divided	For	For	For	For	Against	Against	Against	Adopted428–204–19
20 Jan 2026 Separate vote on recital G	Divided	For	For	For	For	Against	Against	Against	Adopted420–198–43
20 Jan 2026 Amendment 1 to recital H	Against	Against	Against	Against	Against	For	For	For	Rejected189–461–12
20 Jan 2026 Separate vote on recital M	For	For	For	For	For	For	For	For	Adopted645–8–9
20 Jan 2026 Final vote — text as a whole	Divided	For	For	For	For	Against	Against	Against	Adopted417–234–9

20 Jan 2026 Paragraph 2 — part 1

Adopted 645–12–0

The Left

For
Greens

For
S&D

For
Renew

For
EPP

For
ECR

For
Patriots

For
ESN

For
20 Jan 2026 Paragraph 2 — part 2

Adopted 419–193–37

The Left

Divided
Greens

For
S&D

For
Renew

For
EPP

For
ECR

Against
Patriots

Against
ESN

Against
20 Jan 2026 Amendment 2, adding text after paragraph 3

Rejected 202–445–5

The Left

Against
Greens

Against
S&D

Against
Renew

Against
EPP

Against
ECR

For
Patriots

For
ESN

For
20 Jan 2026 Paragraph 3 — part 3

Adopted 379–216–53

The Left

Divided
Greens

For
S&D

For
Renew

For
EPP

For
ECR

Against
Patriots

Against
ESN

Against
20 Jan 2026 Amendment 4, adding text after paragraph 5

Rejected 195–439–8

The Left

Against
Greens

Against
S&D

Against
Renew

Against
EPP

Against
ECR

For
Patriots

For
ESN

For
20 Jan 2026 Amendment 5, adding text after paragraph 12

Rejected 198–441–11

The Left

Against
Greens

Against
S&D

Against
Renew

Against
EPP

Against
ECR

For
Patriots

For
ESN

For
20 Jan 2026 Recital B — part 2

Adopted 427–212–24

The Left

Divided
Greens

For
S&D

For
Renew

For
EPP

For
ECR

Against
Patriots

Against
ESN

Against
20 Jan 2026 Separate vote on recital C

Adopted 645–14–0

The Left

For
Greens

For
S&D

For
Renew

For
EPP

For
ECR

For
Patriots

For
ESN

For
20 Jan 2026 Recital F — part 2

Adopted 428–204–19

The Left

Divided
Greens

For
S&D

For
Renew

For
EPP

For
ECR

Against
Patriots

Against
ESN

Against
20 Jan 2026 Separate vote on recital G

Adopted 420–198–43

The Left

Divided
Greens

For
S&D

For
Renew

For
EPP

For
ECR

Against
Patriots

Against
ESN

Against
20 Jan 2026 Amendment 1 to recital H

Rejected 189–461–12

The Left

Against
Greens

Against
S&D

Against
Renew

Against
EPP

Against
ECR

For
Patriots

For
ESN

For
20 Jan 2026 Separate vote on recital M

Adopted 645–8–9

The Left

For
Greens

For
S&D

For
Renew

For
EPP

For
ECR

For
Patriots

For
ESN

For
20 Jan 2026 Final vote — text as a whole

Adopted 417–234–9

The Left

Divided
Greens

For
S&D

For
Renew

For
EPP

For
ECR

Against
Patriots

Against
ESN

Against

Add members’ columns

Versions, 3

The text of the dossier, version by version, newest first. Compare shows what changed between two consecutive versions.

Adopted by Parliament20 Jan 2026

Adopted text TA10-0006/2026 TA-10-2026-0006

Compare with tabled for plenary
Tabled for plenary8 Dec 2025

Report A10-0252/2025 A-10-2025-0252

Compare with committee draft
Committee draft10 Jun 2025

Draft report (AFCO) AFCO-PR-767970

Each version in short Written by AI from the official text — check the source

Adopted text TA10-0006/2026: This resolution addresses the reform of the European Electoral Act, focusing on hurdles to ratification and implementation in member states. It calls for harmonizing electoral rules, enhancing accessibility, and ensuring the 2018 reform enters into force.
Report A10-0252/2025: This report on the reform of the European Electoral Act examines the hurdles to ratification and implementation of Council Decision 2018/994, which is not yet in force because Spain has not ratified it.
Draft report (AFCO): This draft report on the reform of the European Electoral Act examines hurdles to ratifying and implementing Council Decision 2018/994, which amends the 1976 Electoral Act. It concludes that the decision is not yet in force because Spain has not ratified it, and recommends measures to improve European elections.

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What changed, 2

Between consecutive versions, newest pair first. The overviews are written by AI from the two texts; the comparison shows every change.

Latest Tabled for plenary → Adopted by Parliament Report A10-0252/2025 → Adopted text TA10-0006/2026

AI: What changed Written by AI from the official text — check the source

The versions differ only in formal points: the committee report's explanatory statement is replaced by the adopted resolution's official text and references.

Read the changes · Report a problem

Compare the two versions
Committee draft → Tabled for plenary Draft report (AFCO) → Report A10-0252/2025

AI: What changed Written by AI from the official text — check the source

Adds recitals on uniform procedure benefits and ratification requirements, and expands on fragmentation and minorities. Strengthens calls for harmonising electoral deadlines, accessibility, and visibility of European parties. Drops specific criticism of Spain and adds general calls for ratification and harmonising candidacy rules. The other changes are wording and formal updates, including references to Council Decision (EU, Euratom) 2018/994.

Read the changes · Report a problem

Compare the two versions

Timeline, 7

Every recorded step, newest first, grouped by stage; the latest stage is open.

Plenary stage 3 steps · 8 Dec 2025–20 Jan 2026

20 January 2026

Plenary vote

Sitting of 20 Jan 2026 Report A10-0252/2025 Adopted text TA10-0006/2026
14 January 2026

5 amendments tabled for the plenary vote

Groups propose changes to the tabled text; each is voted on before the final vote.

Amendments 1–5
8 December 2025

Report tabled for plenary

This is the text all MEPs vote on. Political groups can still table amendments to it.

Report A10-0252/2025

Committee stage 4 steps · 23 Jan 2025–3 Dec 2025

3 December 2025

Committee vote: report adopted

AFCO (Constitutional Affairs) voted on the amendments and adopted the report that goes to plenary.
14 July 2025

Amendments tabled in committee

Members of AFCO (Constitutional Affairs) proposed changes to the draft.

Amendments in committee (AFCO)
10 June 2025

Draft report published

The rapporteur’s first text in AFCO (Constitutional Affairs). Members can table amendments before the committee votes.

Draft report (AFCO)
23 January 2025

Referred to the AFCO (Constitutional Affairs) committee

The lead committee prepares Parliament’s report.

Connections

Texts, decisions, people and other dossiers related to this one.

Sources & citation

Where the facts on this page come from, and how to cite it.

Permalink: https://news.eu-parl.st-solutions.dev/dossiers/2025-2028
Official source: Procedure file (Legislative Observatory, OEIL)
Data source: EP Open Data API: procedure record
Licensed CC BY 4.0.
Retrieved: 5 October 2026

Cite as

European Parliament (2026). “Reform of the European Electoral Act – hurdles to ratification and implementation in the Member States”. Dossier, 20 January 2026. procId 2025-2028, reference 2025/2028(INI). EU Parl Watch Research. https://news.eu-parl.st-solutions.dev/dossiers/2025-2028 (retrieved 5 October 2026). Official source: Procedure file (Legislative Observatory, OEIL), https://oeil.secure.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/en/procedure-file?reference=2025%2F2028(INI). Data: EP Open Data API: procedure record, https://data.europarl.europa.eu/api/v2/procedures/2025-2028 (CC BY 4.0).

BibTeX

@misc{epw-dossier-2025-2028,
  author = {{European Parliament}},
  title = {{Reform of the European Electoral Act – hurdles to ratification and implementation in the Member States}},
  year = {2026},
  date = {2026-01-20},
  howpublished = {\url{https://news.eu-parl.st-solutions.dev/dossiers/2025-2028}},
  url = {https://news.eu-parl.st-solutions.dev/dossiers/2025-2028},
  urldate = {2026-10-05},
  publisher = {EU Parl Watch Research},
  note = {Dossier. procId 2025-2028, reference 2025/2028(INI). Official source: https://oeil.secure.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/en/procedure-file?reference=2025\%2F2028(INI). Data: EP Open Data API: procedure record (CC BY 4.0)}
}