The plenary session of the European Parliament on Tuesday called for the right to vote to be facilitated for European Union (EU) citizens residing in another country when they register as residents in another Member State.
The proposals to improve the situation of European citizens living in another Member State when contesting or voting in European and local elections have been approved, respectively, with 500 votes in favor, 143 against and nine abstentions and 504 votes in favor, 79 against and 69 abstentions.
MEPs also called for information on electoral rights and deadlines to be provided to new residents in a language they understand and for identical requirements to apply to all EU citizens (whether nationals or from another Member State) wishing to stand as candidates.
Among other changes, it calls for the elimination of the possibility for national authorities to restrict the electoral rights of citizens of other EU countries when they represent more than 20% of all European citizens living in their territory and to abolish the option of reserving the highest positions in municipal administration for nationals of the country.
According to 2020 data, the percentage of EU citizens living in another Member State ranges from 40.4% in Luxembourg to 0.09% in Poland, while in Spain, this figure does not reach 5%.
Parliament has also urged national authorities to make it easier for vulnerable groups, including people with disabilities and mental illnesses, to exercise their electoral rights. Finally, MEPs advocate alternatives to paper and face-to-face voting, including postal, advance, proxy and telematic voting.
The Council must decide on the modification of the rules unanimously, once the Parliament has exercised its role within the framework of the consultation procedure.
Source: (EUROPA PRESS)