Changes from report parliamentary committee draft to plenary report

This report contains the proposed amendment to the European Electoral Act to permit Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) to cast their votes in plenary sessions by 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.

The European Electoral Act needs to be amended because Article 6(1) provides that: “Members of the European Parliament shall vote on an individual and personal basis. They shall not be bound by any instructions and shall not receive a binding mandate”. Therefore, voting on behalf of a fellow Member would violate this provision, even if the aim pursued is legitimate.

The rationale behind the principle of individual and personal vote is that Members of the European Parliament represent directly the Union’s citizens, and that an election by the citizens creates a unique, individual and personal link between the Member and the institution. Hence, in order to introduce a system of voting by substitution in plenary sessions during a Member’s absence due to maternity leave, the legal instruments defining a Member’s vote as a strictly individual and personal vote need to be amended.

Such amendment is designed to accommodate the unique health, physical, and logistical challenges faced by Members who are pregnant or who have recently given birth, thereby enabling them to fully participate in the legislative process without being compelled to attend plenary sessions in person.

Currently, the requirement for in-person voting can pose significant difficulties for Members who are pregnant or who have recently given birth, including increased health risks, mobility limitations, and challenges related to childcare responsibilities. This amendment recognizes these challenges and introduces proxy voting as a practical solution that balances the need for active political engagement with the well-being of Members during these critical life stages.

By formalizing proxy voting, the European Parliament demonstrates its commitment to inclusivity, gender equality, and family-friendly working conditions. It aligns the institution with modern labour standards, best practices and workplace accommodations, thus fostering an environment where all elected representatives can contribute effectively without sacrificing their personal health or family commitments.

Moreover, this amendment promotes the retention and empowerment of women within the European political sphere, addressing barriers that affect female Members. It supports the European Parliament’s broader objectives of diversity and equal opportunity, ensuring that motherhood does not impede parliamentary participation or diminish the democratic representation of citizens.