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REPORT (2026/2052(INL) – 2026/0900(APP))

On a draft regulation of the European Parliament amending Decision 2005/684/EC, Euratom adopting the Statute for Members of the European Parliament, as regards proxy voting

A-10-2026-0270

Committee on Legal Affairs · Rapporteur: Lara Wolters

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Written by a language model from the full text only; every figure comes from the text. The paragraph links open the paragraph a statement rests on — check the text itself before relying on it.

Parliament's draft regulation amends the Statute for Members to let a Member who is pregnant or has given birth have her vote cast by another Member as proxy. The proxy arrangement may last a maximum of three months before the estimated date of birth and six months after giving birth, and applies only to plenary sessions. The delegation must be voluntary and revocable, no Member may hold more than one delegation at a time, and both names must be recorded in the minutes. Votes cast by proxy count towards quorums, thresholds and majorities, and disputes or corrections do not affect the validity of the vote or the result. The resolution calls on member states to approve the amendment of the European Electoral Act so proxy voting can start as soon as possible.

Committee position. The Committee on Legal Affairs proposes that Parliament adopt the draft regulation amending the Statute for Members to allow proxy voting for pregnant Members and Members who have given birth, within the agreed time limits.

Key points

  1. Parliament takes the view that proxy voting three months before the estimated date of birth and six months after giving birth strengthens democratic representation.
  2. It believes the reform will enhance gender equality and inclusion and improve gender balance in Parliament.
  3. It proposes a targeted revision of the Statute for Members letting Members delegate their plenary vote to another Member of their choice.
  4. It calls on member states to approve the amendment of the European Electoral Act under their constitutional requirements and complete other procedures as soon as possible.
  5. The annexed regulation adds a paragraph to Article 3 of the Statute for Members allowing a Member who is pregnant or has given birth to have her vote cast by a proxy.
  6. The detailed arrangements go in the Rules of Procedure, and the delegation applies exclusively to plenary sessions.
  7. The delegation must be entirely voluntary and may always be revoked within a reasonable time before the voting session.
  8. No Member may hold more than one delegation of vote at any given time.
  9. The names of the delegating Member and the proxy must be recorded in the minutes, and published voting results must clearly indicate votes cast by proxy.
  10. The delegating Member counts for quorums, thresholds and majorities; disagreements do not affect the validity of the vote or the result.
  11. Corrections to votes cast by delegation are possible under the same conditions as other votes but do not affect the validity of the vote or the result.
  12. The regulation enters into force on the first day after the last notification under Article 2 of Council Decision (EU, Euratom) 2026/1296 is received.

Who is affected

  • Members of the European Parliament who are pregnant or have given birth: they may delegate their plenary vote to another Member.
  • Members acting as proxy: they cast the delegating Member's vote and their name is recorded in the minutes.
  • Member states: asked to approve the amendment of the European Electoral Act under their constitutional requirements.

Figures and deadlines

  • Maximum period of three months before the estimated date of birth.
  • Maximum period of six months after giving birth.
  • Women make up 38.53% of Members elected at the 2024 European Elections.
  • 16% in the first European Elections of 1979.

Legal basis: Article 223(2) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and Article 106a(1) of the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community.