Changes from plenary report to adopted text

RemovedThe Council has adopted its position on proxy voting on 17 March 2026 and transmitted it to Parliament for its consent. Following its internal debates, the Council has added to the Parliament’s initial proposal two elements. First, the statute for MEPs should lay down the general conditions governing such delegation of vote, ensuring compliance with the principles of transparency, accountability, traceability, legal certainty and integrity of the vote. Council also added that Parliament’s Rules of Procedure should lay down detailed arrangements for this delegation of vote.

AddedC. whereas the reform of the European Parliament's electoral procedure should aim to enhance the democratic dimension of European elections, improve the functioning of the European Parliament and the governance of the Union, make the work of the European Parliament more legitimate and efficient, and provide for greater electoral equality for citizens of the Union;

RemovedWhile reiterating the need for a rapid adoption of this important reform of the European Electoral Law, the Rapporteur suggests Parliament to accept these additions from Council and to proceed immediately to give its consent to the Council’s position. This would allow for the swift adoption by the Council of its final decision on the amendment of the European Electoral Law and for the launching of the last step foreseen in Article 223(1) TFEU (i.e. approval by Member States) without further delay, allowing for the entry into force of this reform as soon as possible.

AddedD. whereas work-life balance policies should contribute to the achievement of gender equality by promoting the participation of mothers in politics;

AddedE. whereas the reform of the electoral procedure must respect the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality.

Added1. Decides to strengthen maternity rules for Members of the European Parliament who wish to continue to carry out their parliamentary duties;

Added2. Proposes a targeted revision of the European Electoral Act enabling Members to delegate their plenary vote to another Member of their choice during pregnancy and after giving birth;

Added3. Believes that this reform will allow Members, in the periods immediately before and after becoming mothers, to fully exercise their mandates, improving institutional fairness and inclusion in the European Parliament;

Added4. Adopts the proposal annexed hereto and submits it to the Council;

AddedANNEX TO THE LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION

AddedPROPOSAL FOR A COUNCIL DECISION

Addedadopting the provisions amending the Act concerning the election of the members of the European Parliament by direct universal suffrage

AddedTHE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

AddedHaving regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 223(1) thereof,

AddedHaving regard to the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community, and in particular Article 106a(1) thereof,

AddedHaving regard to the proposal from the European Parliament,

AddedAfter transmission of the draft legislative act to the national parliaments,

AddedHaving regard to the consent of the European Parliament,

AddedActing in accordance with a special legislative procedure,

AddedWhereas:

Added(1) Work-life balance policies should contribute to the achievement of gender equality by promoting the participation of mothers in politics.

Added(2) The introduction of a system of proxy voting in plenary sessions will allow Members, in the periods immediately before and after becoming mothers, to fully exercise their mandates.

AddedHAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION

AddedArticle 1

AddedIn Article 6(1) of the Act concerning the election of the Members of the European Parliament by direct universal suffrage, annexed to Council Decision 76/787/ECSC, EEC, Euratom, the following subparagraph is added:

Added“By way of derogation from the first subparagraph, a Member who is pregnant or who has given birth may have her vote cast by another Member acting as proxy for a maximum period of three months before the estimated date of birth of the child and for a maximum period of six months after the birth.”

AddedArticle 2

Added1. This Decision shall be subject to the approval by the Member States in accordance with their respective constitutional requirements. Member States shall notify the General Secretariat of the Council of the completion of the procedures necessary for that purpose.

Added2. This Decision shall enter into force on the first day after the day on which the last notification referred to in paragraph 1 has been received.

AddedArticle 3

AddedThis decision shall be published in the Official Journal of the European Union.

AddedDone at Brussels,

AddedFor the Council

AddedThe President