On the proposal for a Council directive laying down detailed arrangements for the exercise of the right to vote and stand as a candidate in municipal elections by Union citizens residing in a Member State of which they are not nationals (recast)

Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs · Rapporteur: Joachim Stanisław Brudziński

✦ In short Full text Procedure & committee votes

✦ In short · AI summary of this text, generated 4 Sept 2026

Parliament's amended version of the proposed Council directive on the right of non-national Union citizens to vote and stand in municipal elections. It approves the Commission proposal with amendments and calls for changes.¶¶ The amendments aim to strengthen equal treatment, remove derogations, improve information and accessibility, and enhance data collection and reporting.¶¶¶

Committee position. The Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs proposes to approve the Commission proposal as amended, with changes to strengthen equal treatment, remove derogations, and improve information and accessibility.¶

Key points

Approves the Commission proposal as adapted to the recommendations of the Consultative Working Party and as amended.¶
Calls on the Commission to alter its proposal accordingly and on the Council to notify Parliament if it departs from the text.¶¶
Adds a recital recalling the Maastricht Treaty's introduction of Union citizenship.¶
Requires Member States to ensure full and effective access to electoral rights by removing all obstacles and providing full information.¶
Requires equal treatment with nationals regarding residence periods and proofs, and prohibits special conditions unless justified by exceptional circumstances.¶¶
Requires Member States to endeavour to introduce immediate registration for non-national Union citizens upon consent, and to establish distinct electoral rolls for municipal and European elections.¶¶
Deletes provisions allowing Member States to reserve certain local government offices for nationals and to restrict participation in parliamentary assemblies.¶¶¶
Deletes all derogation provisions, including those for Member States where non-national Union citizens exceed 20% of the electorate.¶¶¶
Requires Member States to provide information in all official Union languages and in accessible formats for persons with disabilities, and allows assistance in voting.¶¶
Requires Member States to report on application within three years and every four years thereafter, with statistical data based on common indicators set by the Commission via delegated acts.¶¶
Requires the Commission to assess the directive within two years after the 2029 European elections and to propose amendments if appropriate.¶

Who is affected

Union citizens residing in a Member State of which they are not nationals: gain clearer rights to vote and stand in municipal elections, with better information and accessibility.¶¶¶
Member States: must remove obstacles, provide information in all EU languages, ensure accessibility, and report on implementation.¶¶¶
National political parties: should not make membership conditional on nationality of the Member State of election.¶
Persons with disabilities: benefit from accessible information and assistance in voting.¶¶

Figures and deadlines

20% threshold for derogations is deleted.¶¶¶
Reporting within three years of entry into force and every four years thereafter.¶
Assessment within two years after the 2029 elections to the European Parliament.¶

Legal basis: Article 22(1) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union¶

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