Sittings · Document

Draft report (2025/2028(INI)) 2025-07-14

Reform of the European Electoral Act – hurdles to ratification and implementation in the Member States

Committee on Constitutional Affairs

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Amendment 1

Reinier Van Lanschot

Motion for a resolution

Citation 4 a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

– having regard to the report of the final outcome of the Conference on the Future of Europe, presented on 9 May 2022, especially proposal n. 38 on Democracy and Elections, on "amending EU electoral law to harmonise electoral conditions (voting age, election date, requirements for electoral districts, candidates, political parties and their financing) for the European Parliament elections, as well as moving towards voting for Union-wide lists, or 'transnational lists' [...]"4a

_________________

4a Conference on the Future of Europe, Report on the final outcome, 9 May 2022, p. 81.

Or. en

Amendment 2

Juan Carlos Girauta Vidal, Jean-Paul Garraud, Alexandre Varaut

Motion for a resolution

Citation 5

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

– having regard to its position of 3 May 2022 on the proposal for a Council Regulation on the election of the members of the European Parliament by direct universal suffrage, repealing Council Decision (76/787/ECSC, EEC, Euratom) and the Act concerning the election of the members of the European Parliament by direct universal suffrage annexed to that Decision (2020/2220(INL) — 2022/0902(APP))5 ,

deleted

_________________

5 OJ C 465, 6.12.2022, p. 171.

Or. en

Amendment 3

Juan Carlos Girauta Vidal, Jean-Paul Garraud, Alexandre Varaut

Motion for a resolution

Citation 6

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

– having regard to Council Decision (EU, Euratom) 2018/994 of 13 July 2018 amending 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 of 20 September 19766 ,

deleted

_________________

6 OJ L 178, 16.7.2018, p. 1., ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2018/994/oj.

Or. en

Amendment 4

Sandro Gozi, Charles Goerens

Motion for a resolution

Citation 6 a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

– Having regard to its resolution of 22 November 2023 on proposals of the European Parliament for the amendment of the Treaties6a, and in particular to Amendments 187, and 188 in hereto,

_________________

6a OJ C, C/2024/4216, 24.7.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/C/2024/4216/oj

Or. en

Amendment 5

Nikolas Farantouris

Motion for a resolution

Citation 6 a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

– having regard to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), and in particular Article 29 thereof,

Or. en

Amendment 6

Nikolas Farantouris

Motion for a resolution

Citation 6 b (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

– having regard to the work of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) on gender equality, in particular its action plan for gender-sensitive parliaments,

Or. en

Amendment 7

Idoia Mendia, Juan Fernando López Aguilar, Krzysztof Śmiszek, Gabriele Bischoff, Brando Benifei

Motion for a resolution

Citation 8 a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

– having regard to the 2005 Report on Electoral Rules and Affirmative Action for National Minorities’ Participation in Decision-Making Processes in European Countries, adopted by the Council for Democratic Elections at its 12th meeting and by the Venice Commission at its 62nd Plenary Session;

Or. en

Amendment 8

Idoia Mendia, Juan Fernando López Aguilar, Krzysztof Śmiszek, Gabriele Bischoff, Brando Benifei

Motion for a resolution

Citation 8 b (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

– having regard to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD);

Or. en

Amendment 9

Nikolas Farantouris

Motion for a resolution

Recital A

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

A. whereas Article 223 TFEU gives Parliament the right to initiate the reform of its own electoral procedure, with the aim of drawing up a uniform procedure which applies throughout the EU or a procedure that is based on principles common to all the Member States, and to give its consent thereto;

Or. en

Amendment 10

Juan Carlos Girauta Vidal, Jean-Paul Garraud, Alexandre Varaut, Marieke Ehlers, Ernő Schaller-Baross

Motion for a resolution

Recital A

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

A. whereas Article 223 of the TFEU gives the Parliament the right to initiate a reform of its own electoral procedure, underlining that such competence must in no case be used to impose directives on Member States that would undermine their national sovereignty;

Or. en

Amendment 11

Reinier Van Lanschot

Motion for a resolution

Recital A a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

A a. whereas a uniform electoral procedure would not only ensure greater equality and transparency in the electoral process, but also foster the emergence of a European political and public sphere, strengthening the legitimacy of the European Union and its institutions;

Or. en

Amendment 12

Idoia Mendia, Juan Fernando López Aguilar, Krzysztof Śmiszek, Gabriele Bischoff, Brando Benifei

Motion for a resolution

Recital A a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

A a. Whereas in accordance with Article 223(1) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), the entry into force of the amended electoral act is subject to approval by all Member States in accordance with their respective constitutional requirements;

Or. en

Amendment 13

Idoia Mendia, Juan Fernando López Aguilar, Krzysztof Śmiszek, Gabriele Bischoff, Brando Benifei

Motion for a resolution

Recital A b (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

A b. Whereas ratification of the Council Decision 2018/994 is a national decision and each Member State retains full discretion over whether and when to ratify; whereas there is no legal obligation under EU law that forces a timeline or compels ratification;

Or. en

Amendment 14

Reinier Van Lanschot

Motion for a resolution

Recital B a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

B a. whereas the 1976 European Electoral Act itself clearly stated the objective of establishing such a uniform procedure, and explicitly mandated the European Parliament to take the necessary steps to that end; whereas the possibility to lay down “common principles” instead of a harmonised procedure was introduced only at a later stage, as a pragmatic response to the persistent difficulties in achieving unanimous agreement on a unified electoral procedure; whereas this shift in approach has led to a persistent, uneven implementation of electoral reforms, thereby undermining the original spirit of the Treaties and the 1976 European Electoral Act, and delaying the establishment of a European electoral framework;

Or. en

Amendment 15

Reinier Van Lanschot

Motion for a resolution

Recital C

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

C. whereas the reform of the European Parliament’s electoral procedure should aim to enhance the democratic dimension of European elections and the legitimacy of the EU’s decision-making process, reinforce the concept of EU citizenship, improve the functioning of Parliament and EU governance, while also strengthening the principles of electoral equality and equal opportunities;

C. whereas the reform of the European Parliament’s electoral procedure should aim to enhance the democratic dimension of European elections and the legitimacy of the EU’s decision-making process, by ensuring equal and inclusive participation for all EU citizens, thus aligning the electoral framework with the European Parliament's role as co-legislator directly elected by Union citizens; whereas such reform should serve to reinforce the concept of EU citizenship, improve the functioning of Parliament and EU governance, while also strengthening the principles of political pluralism, electoral equality and equal opportunities; whereas it should enhance transparency, accessibility, gender equality and youth engagement;

Or. en

Amendment 16

Juan Carlos Girauta Vidal, Jean-Paul Garraud, Alexandre Varaut, Marieke Ehlers, Ernő Schaller-Baross

Motion for a resolution

Recital C

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

C. whereas the reform of the European Parliament’s electoral procedure should aim to enhance the democratic dimension of European elections and the legitimacy of the EU’s decision-making process, reinforce the concept of EU citizenship, improve the functioning of Parliament and EU governance, while also strengthening the principles of electoral equality and equal opportunities;

C. whereas the reform of the European Parliament’s electoral procedure must ensure the utmost respect for the national sovereignty, constitutional powers and democratic traditions of the Member States, avoiding uniform or exceptional criteria that could dilute the identity and political representation of the European nations, thus contributing to a functioning and governance of the Union that genuinely respects these nations;

Or. en

Amendment 17

Nikolas Farantouris

Motion for a resolution

Recital C

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

C. whereas the reform of the European Parliament’s electoral procedure should aim to enhance the democratic dimension of European elections and the legitimacy of the EU’s decision-making process, reinforce the concept of EU citizenship, improve the functioning of Parliament and EU governance, while also strengthening the principles of electoral equality and equal opportunities;

C. whereas the reform of the European Parliament’s electoral procedure should aim to enhance the democratic dimension of European elections and the legitimacy of the EU’s decision-making process, reinforce the concept of EU citizenship, improve the functioning of Parliament and EU governance, while also strengthening the principles of electoral equality, equal opportunities and inclusion;

Or. en

Amendment 18

Reinier Van Lanschot

Motion for a resolution

Recital D

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

D. whereas a comprehensive agreement on a truly uniform electoral procedure has not yet been achieved, though some convergence of electoral systems has taken place gradually;

D. whereas a comprehensive agreement on a truly uniform electoral procedure has not yet been achieved, and whereas the current framework remains heavily fragmented; whereas gradual convergence has taken place in certain aspects, while the current patchwork of national rules results in significant disparities that persist in key areas such as voting rights, candidacy conditions, voting methods, campaign visibility and accessibility across Member States, undermining electoral equality and weakening the perception of a single, shared European election, as well as the citizens' trust in the European democratic process;

Or. en

Amendment 19

Juan Carlos Girauta Vidal

Motion for a resolution

Recital D

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

D. whereas a comprehensive agreement on a truly uniform electoral procedure has not yet been achieved, though some convergence of electoral systems has taken place gradually;

D. whereas a comprehensive agreement on a truly uniform electoral procedure has not yet been reached, due to the lack of commitment and responsibility of the Government of Spain to advance this process;

Or. en

Amendment 20

Juan Carlos Girauta Vidal, Alexandre Varaut, Jean-Paul Garraud, Marieke Ehlers, Ernő Schaller-Baross

Motion for a resolution

Recital E

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

deleted

Or. en

Amendment 21

Reinier Van Lanschot

Motion for a resolution

Recital E

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

E. whereas despite several reforms, European elections are still mostly governed by national laws and domestic political dynamics; whereas electoral campaigning remains national, often treating European elections as second-order internal contests rather than a unified expression of European political will; whereas this undermines the role of European political parties, who thereby cannot sufficiently fulfil their constitutional mandate and ‘contribute to forming European political awareness and to expressing the will of citizens of the Union’ as required by Article 10(4) TEU; whereas this also hinders the development of a transnational political debate centred on European issues, rather than on national debates;

Or. en

Amendment 22

Nikolas Farantouris

Motion for a resolution

Recital E

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

E. whereas despite several reforms, European elections are still mostly governed by national laws, electoral campaigning remains national, and European political parties cannot sufficiently fulfil their constitutional mandate and ‘contribute to forming European political awareness and to expressing the will of citizens of the Union’ as required by Article 10(4) TEU; whereas the recast of the regulation on the statute and funding of European political parties and European political foundations has brought a level of clarity;

Or. en

Amendment 23

Idoia Mendia, Juan Fernando López Aguilar, Krzysztof Śmiszek, Gabriele Bischoff, Brando Benifei

Motion for a resolution

Recital E

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

E. whereas despite several reforms, European elections are still mostly governed by national laws, electoral campaigning remains to a large extent national, and European political parties cannot sufficiently fulfil their constitutional mandate and ‘contribute to forming European political awareness and to expressing the will of citizens of the Union’ as required by Article 10(4) TEU;

Or. en

Amendment 24

Idoia Mendia, Juan Fernando López Aguilar, Krzysztof Śmiszek, Gabriele Bischoff, Brando Benifei

Motion for a resolution

Recital E a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

E a. Whereas it is important to work towards truly European elections, while taking into account the specific circumstances of each country and its regions, striking a balance between harmonisation and respect for national democratic traditions;

Or. en

Amendment 25

Reinier Van Lanschot

Motion for a resolution

Recital G

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

G. whereas Council Decision 2018/994 establishes a threshold between 2 % and 5 % for Member States with constituencies of more than 35 seats;

G. whereas Council Decision 2018/994 establishes a threshold between 2 % and 5 % for Member States with constituencies of more than 35 seats; whereas electoral thresholds can affect the proportionality of the vote and the degree of political pluralism represented in a legislative assembly; whereas such thresholds must strike a balance between governability and inclusiveness, and should not disproportionately penalise smaller or emerging political movements;

Or. en

Amendment 26

Idoia Mendia, Juan Fernando López Aguilar, Krzysztof Śmiszek, Gabriele Bischoff, Brando Benifei

Motion for a resolution

Recital G a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

G a. Whereas the ratification process of the 2018 reform has experienced significant delays, with several Member States having not completed the necessary procedures in time ahead of the 2019 and 2024 European elections;

Or. en

Amendment 27

Idoia Mendia, Juan Fernando López Aguilar, Krzysztof Śmiszek, Gabriele Bischoff, Brando Benifei

Motion for a resolution

Recital G b (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

G b. Whereas the 2005 Venice Commission and Council for Democratic Elections report on electoral rules and affirmative action for national minorities in decision-making processes in European countries recommended a number of measures to ensure the fair representation of minorities, and stated that electoral thresholds should not undermine the chances of national minorities to be elected;

Or. en

Amendment 28

Juan Carlos Girauta Vidal, Alexandre Varaut, Jean-Paul Garraud, Marieke Ehlers, Ernő Schaller-Baross

Motion for a resolution

Recital H

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

H. whereas one of the most sensitive proposals in the 2022 Parliament proposal concerns the creation of EU-wide transnational electoral lists;

deleted

Or. en

Amendment 29

Charles Goerens, Sandro Gozi

Motion for a resolution

Recital H

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

H. whereas one of the most sensitive proposals in the 2022 Parliament proposal concerns the creation of EU-wide transnational electoral lists;

deleted

Or. en

Amendment 30

Reinier Van Lanschot

Motion for a resolution

Recital H

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

H. whereas one of the most sensitive proposals in the 2022 Parliament proposal concerns the creation of EU-wide transnational electoral lists;

H. whereas one of the most sensitive proposals in the 2022 Parliament proposal concerns the creation of an EU-wide constituency with transnational electoral lists, which aim to foster a European public sphere, strengthen the link between voters and European political formations, and to make the European elections more reflective of political preferences that transcend national borders; whereas this innovation has sparked political debate, but responds to long-standing calls from citizens and civil society for a more integrated democratic process;

Or. en

Amendment 31

Nikolas Farantouris

Motion for a resolution

Recital H

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

H. whereas one of the most sensitive proposals in the 2022 Parliament proposal concerns the creation of EU-wide transnational electoral lists;

H. whereas the 2022 Parliament’s position includes the proposal for the creation of EU-wide transnational electoral lists;

Or. en

Amendment 32

Reinier Van Lanschot

Motion for a resolution

Recital I

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

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

I. whereas the reform of the electoral procedure must respect the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality, which should be interpreted in light of the Union's commitment to ensuring equal democratic rights for all citizens;

Or. en

Amendment 33

Charles Goerens, Sandro Gozi

Motion for a resolution

Recital I

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

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

I. whereas the reform of the electoral procedure on the basis of Art. 223(1) TFEU must fully respect the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality and the scrutiny and ratification prerogatives of national parliaments;

Or. en

Amendment 34

Idoia Mendia, Juan Fernando López Aguilar, Krzysztof Śmiszek, Gabriele Bischoff, Brando Benifei

Motion for a resolution

Recital I a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

I a. Whereas some member States are characterised by territorial and linguistic diversity and, in some cases, by the existence of distinct electoral systems at regional and national levels, with regional parties securing a significant share of the vote in both regional and national elections;

Or. en

Amendment 35

Sandro Gozi, Charles Goerens

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 1

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

1. Recalls that the path to Europeanisation of national electoral rules concerning the elections to the European Parliament requires further strengthening, namely regarding accessibility for disadvantaged Groups, common deadlines for the finalisation of electoral lists, gender balance, prevention of double voting and the enhancement of the visibility and of the role of European Political Parties in electoral processes; recalls, however, that many existing provisions in the current European Electoral Act have been implemented in all Member States, namely a proportional representation system, a maximum electoral threshold of 5 % and a bar on MEPs holding a dual mandate in national parliaments and the European Parliament;

Or. en

Amendment 36

Charles Goerens, Sandro Gozi

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 1

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

1. Recalls that the path to Europeanisation of national electoral rules concerning the elections to the European Parliament is generally quite advanced; recalls, in particular, that many existing provisions in the current European Electoral Act have been implemented in all Member States, namely a proportional representation system, a maximum electoral threshold of 5 % and a bar on MEPs holding a dual mandate in national parliaments and the European Parliament; considers, nevertheless, that the completion of a European “demos” is far from done and that policy efforts must be intensified to make the Union less bureaucratic and more democratic through a truly European and transnational democratic sphere;

Or. en

Amendment 37

Reinier Van Lanschot

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 1

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

1. Stresses that the path to Europeanisation of national electoral rules concerning the elections to the European Parliament remains largely incomplese; notes that beyond a proportional representation system, a maximum electoral threshold of 5 % and a bar on MEPs holding a dual mandate in national parliaments and the European Parliament, there is minimal harmonisation across Member States; regrets that many critical elements remain optional, inconsistently applied or entirely disregarded, undermining the democratic legitimacy and visibility of European elections;

Or. en

Amendment 38

Juan Carlos Girauta Vidal, Alexandre Varaut, Jean-Paul Garraud, Marieke Ehlers, Ernő Schaller-Baross

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 1

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

1. Recalls that the path to harmonisation of national electoral rules concerning the elections to the European Parliament is generally quite advanced; recalls, in particular, that many existing provisions in the current European Electoral Act have been implemented in all Member States, namely a proportional representation system, a maximum electoral threshold of 5 % and a bar on MEPs holding a dual mandate in national parliaments and the European Parliament;

Or. en

Amendment 39

Reinier Van Lanschot

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 1 a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

1 a. Reiterates that European elections continue to be conducted largely under national legal and institutional frameworks, that were conceived in a markedly different phase of European integration; stresses that these rules no longer correspond to the enhanced role and legislative powers of the European Parliament, particularly since the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon;

Or. en

Amendment 40

Reinier Van Lanschot

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 2

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

2. Recalls that Council Decision 2018/994 contains a number of provisions that Member States are either obliged or invited to implement; points out that optional measures have not been implemented by some Member States and that some mandatory measures have been implemented differently by Member States, such as in the case of prevention of double voting; regrets that the majority of the provisions in Council Decision 2018/994 remain optional, thereby weakening both the ambition and the impact of the proposal; considers that the limited transposition of these non-binding provisions reveals a persistent lack of political will to overcome national resistance and commit to a genuinely European democratic process;

Or. en

Amendment 41

Charles Goerens, Sandro Gozi

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 2

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

2. Recalls that Council Decision 2018/994 contains a number of provisions that Member States are either obliged or invited to implement; regrets that optional measures have not been implemented by some Member States and that some mandatory measures have been implemented differently by Member States, such as in the case of prevention of double voting;

Or. en

Amendment 42

Juan Carlos Girauta Vidal, Alexandre Varaut, Ernő Schaller-Baross

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 2

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

2. Recalls that Council Decision 2018/994 contains a number of provisions that Member States are invited to implement; points out that optional measures have not been implemented by some Member States and that some mandatory measures have been implemented differently by Member States, such as in the case of prevention of double voting;

Or. en

Amendment 43

Patryk Jaki

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 3

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

3. Recalls that the deadlines for finalising electoral lists ahead of European elections vary greatly among Member States, currently ranging from 21 days to 90 days, putting candidates and voters across the EU in an unequal position when it comes to the time available to campaign or to reflect on their voting choice;

3. Recalls that the deadlines for finalising electoral lists ahead of European elections vary greatly among Member States, currently ranging from 21 days to 90 days;

Or. pl

Amendment 44

Reinier Van Lanschot

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 3 a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

3 a. Similarly, recalls that the minimum voting age for European elections varies among Member States, ranging from 16 to 18 years old, which results in an unequal exercise of democratic rights among EU citizens; further recalls that the minimum age to stand as a candidate also varies significantly, from 18 to 25 years in some Member States, creating further inequality in access to democratic participation; stresses that such disparities undermine the principle of equal suffrage, and weaken the sense of a shared European citizenship, as they represent a concrete example of how the country of residence still determines the extent of one’s political rights, a situation that is incompatible with the idea of a Union based on equality of rights and non-discrimination; underlines that such inconsistencies disincentivise young people from engaging with European politics and institutions; notes with concern that the Council Decision 2018/994 does not include any provisions for the harmonisation of the minimum voting and candidacy ages, despite the fact that a growing number of Member States are already moving independently to lower these thresholds, reflecting a clear demand to enhance youth participation in European democracy;

Or. en

Amendment 45

Reinier Van Lanschot

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 3 b (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

3 b. Points out that the financial and administrative costs of running as a candidate in European elections differ greatly across Member States, with some imposing high monetary deposits, burdensome signature requirements or other restrictive procedures; stresses that this creates unequal conditions for access to candidacy, particularly disadvantaging smaller or newer political movements; underlines that such disparities contradict the spirit of fair competition and political pluralism enshrined in the treaties; further stresses that these barriers tend to favour the re-election of well-established political forces with access to greater resources, ultimately disincentivising the emergence of new political parties and movements;

Or. en

Amendment 46

Reinier Van Lanschot

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 4

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

4. Considers that the visibility of European political parties should be enhanced by placing their names and logos on national ballot papers, and that they should have proper visibility on television and radio campaign broadcasts, posters and other material used in European election campaigns; believes that these measures would render European elections more transparent, and enable citizens to consciously cast their vote for a political party that belongs to their preferred political group in the European Parliament; deplores the fact that this optional measure under Council Decision 2018/994 has not been transposed into any national legislation to date;

4. Points out that the creation of a European public sphere and a political debate that goes beyond national borders, particularly in the context of European elections, is essential to strengthen European democracy; underlines that European political parties are a key instrument in fostering such a debate; considers that the visibility of European political parties should be enhanced by placing their names and logos on national ballot papers, and that they should have proper visibility on television and radio campaign broadcasts, posters and other material used in European election campaigns; believes that these measures would render European elections more transparent, and enable citizens to consciously cast their vote for a political party that belongs to their preferred political group in the European Parliament; deplores the fact that this is only an optional measure under Council Decision 2018/994, and has not been transposed into any national legislation to date;

Or. en

Amendment 47

Charles Goerens, Sandro Gozi

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 4

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

4. Considers that the visibility of European political parties should be enhanced by placing their names and logos of the European political party to which a national party is affiliated must be mandatorily included on all ballot papers, and that they should have proper visibility on television and radio campaign broadcasts, posters and other material used in European election campaigns; considers these measures to be a minimum requirement for informing voters about the European dimension of their vote and enabling European political parties to fulfil their role under Article 10(4) TEU, believes that these measures would render European elections more transparent, and enable citizens to consciously cast their vote for a political party that belongs to their preferred political group in the European Parliament; deplores the fact that this optional measure under Council Decision 2018/994 has not been transposed into any national legislation to date;

Or. en

Amendment 48

Adrián Vázquez Lázara, Borja Giménez Larraz

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 4

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

4. Considers that the visibility of European political parties should be enhanced by placing their names and logos on national ballot papers, and that they should have proper visibility on television and radio campaign broadcasts, posters and other material used in European election campaigns; believes that these measures would render European elections more transparent, prevent any distortion of the voters' right to be informed about the existence of coalition agreements between political parties for the European Parliament elections, and enable citizens to consciously cast their vote for a political party that belongs to their preferred political group in the European Parliament; deplores the fact that this optional measure under Council Decision 2018/994 has not been transposed into any national legislation to date;

Or. es

Amendment 49

Juan Carlos Girauta Vidal, Alexandre Varaut, Jean-Paul Garraud, Marieke Ehlers, Ernő Schaller-Baross

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 4

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

4. Considers that the visibility of European political parties on national ballots and in the media should remain a voluntary matter for each Member State and for the national parties themselves, avoiding the imposition of obligations that could diminish the prominence of parties which directly represent citizens within their own nations, and regrets any attempt to standardise electoral campaigns in a way that could weaken national political identity within the European context;

Or. en

Amendment 50

Nikolas Farantouris

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 4

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

4. Considers that the visibility of European political parties should be enhanced by placing their names and logos on national ballot papers, and that they should have proper visibility on online, television and radio campaign broadcasts, posters and other material used in European election campaigns; believes that these measures would render European elections more transparent, and enable citizens to consciously cast their vote for a political party that belongs to their preferred political group in the European Parliament; deplores the fact that this optional measure under Council Decision 2018/994 has not been transposed into any national legislation to date;

Or. en

Amendment 51

Juan Carlos Girauta Vidal, Alexandre Varaut, Ernő Schaller-Baross

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1 (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

Notes that the ballot paper should clearly and explicitly display the names of all candidates for whom citizens are voting, in the order in which they are to be elected, thereby enhancing transparency and enabling voters to make an informed choice;

Or. en

Amendment 52

Reinier Van Lanschot

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 5

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

5. Points out that some Member States national rules do not allow voters with disabilities to change their assigned polling station to another that better accommodates their needs; emphasises that any barriers to the right to vote and stand as a candidate for persons with disabilities should be removed in order to guarantee accessibility to all throughout the election process;

5. Points out that the Council Decision 2018/994 fails to include provisions to harmonise accessibility of voting facilities, polling stations and electoral procedures and materials for persons with disabilities; notes with concern that the responsibility for regulating accessibility remains entirely with the Member States, the majority of which have either failed to adopt adequate standards or have made only limited progress in recent years; stresses that in several Member States national rules still do not allow voters with disabilities to change their assigned polling station to another that better accommodates their needs, or to access electoral information in accessible formats; emphasises that any barriers to the right to vote and stand as a candidate for persons with disabilities are incompatible with the rights of Union citizenship and the obligations arising from the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and should be removed in order to guarantee accessibility to all throughout the election process;

Or. en

Amendment 53

Nikolas Farantouris

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 5

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

5. Recalls the need to continue progressing in making the electoral process more inclusive to ensure that every citizen, regardless of their circumstances, has an equal opportunity to participate in the democratic process; points out that some Member States national rules do not allow voters with disabilities to change their assigned polling station to another that better accommodates their needs; emphasises that any barriers to the right to vote and stand as a candidate for persons with disabilities should be removed in order to guarantee accessibility to all throughout the election process;

Or. en

Amendment 54

Charles Goerens, Sandro Gozi

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 5 – point 1 (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

(1) Stresses that European citizens residing in a Member State other than their own must be granted equal access to candidacy rights, without any discrimination based on nationality; calls on the Member States to remove any disproportionate or unjustified legal or administrative barriers that prevent such citizens from running for office or appearing prominently on electoral lists.

Or. en

Amendment 55

Reinier Van Lanschot

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 5 a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

5 a. Notes that postal voting and its complementary means are presented in Council Decision 2018/994 as an optional measure aimed at facilitating accessibility for persons with disabilities; underlines that, while this objective is essential, postal voting also plays a broader role in making electoral participation more flexible and inclusive; stresses that offering postal voting as a guaranteed option in all Member States would benefit not only persons with disabilities, but also citizens who cannot vote in person due to extraordinary circumstances; considers that ensuring wider access to postal voting would enhance participation, especially among mobile EU citizens and younger voters, and contribute to increasing overall voter turnout;

Or. en

Amendment 56

Idoia Mendia, Juan Fernando López Aguilar, Krzysztof Śmiszek, Gabriele Bischoff, Brando Benifei

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 5 a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

5 a. Stresses that the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) clarifies and enshrines, in its Article 29, the right of persons with disabilities to political participation on an equal basis with others; notes that despite its ratification by the EU and all its Member States, numerous barriers still affect the accessibility of European elections for persons with disabilities, in particular with regard to legal capacity and the right to vote, access to information on the political process and political parties, the inaccessibility of voting procedures, and discrimination when standing as candidates:

Or. en

Amendment 57

Reinier Van Lanschot

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 6 a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

6 a. Regrets that Council Decision 2018/994 does not contain any provisions on ensuring gender balance in electoral candidate lists, highlighting once again the limited scope of the proposal; points out that, while some Member States have already adopted national measures to promote gender equality in elections, such as zipped lists or quotas, this is still far from representing the standard practice across the Union; stresses that the absence of EU-level provisions leads to significant disparities in representation and undermines the Union’s commitment to equality between women and men as enshrined in Article 8 TFEU and Article 23 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights;

Or. en

Amendment 58

Reinier Van Lanschot

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 6 b (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

6 b. Recalls that the Council Decision 2018/994 does not provide for the temporary replacement of Members of the European Parliament who are unable to exercise their mandate due to maternity, paternity, parental leave or long-term illness; underlines that the absence of such provisions disproportionately affects the effective representation and participation of certain groups, particularly women and young parents, and is incompatible with the commitment of the European Union to gender equality and non-discrimination; welcomes the inclusion of temporary replacement in the European Parliament’s 2022 European Electoral Act proposal as a necessary step to modernise the institution and align it with contemporary standards of workplace rights;

Or. en

Amendment 59

Reinier Van Lanschot

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 7

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

7. Emphasises that Council Decision 2018/994 is not yet in force as the ratification process is still ongoing in Spain; notes that, while Germany has ratified Council Decision 2018/994, the German electoral law for the European Parliament election has not been amended because as long as the 2 % threshold is not mandatory under European law, it cannot be introduced in German law; recalls that, in Spanish national elections, there is de facto a minimum threshold as well as in the elections held at the regional level and that the Spanish Constitutional Court has repeatedly backed the possibility of introducing thresholds in elections;

7. Emphasises that Council Decision 2018/994 is not yet in force as the ratification process is still ongoing in Spain;

Or. en

Amendment 60

Charles Goerens, Sandro Gozi

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 7

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

Or. en

Amendment 61

Nikolas Farantouris

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 7

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

Or. en

Amendment 62

Idoia Mendia, Juan Fernando López Aguilar, Krzysztof Śmiszek, Gabriele Bischoff, Brando Benifei

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 7

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

7. Emphasises that Council Decision 2018/994 is not yet in force as the ratification process is still ongoing in Spain; stresses that the ratification of Council Decision 2018/994 has progressed slowly not only in Spain; notes that Cyprus did not ratify the Decision until October 2023, because of practical difficulties in its implementation; notes further that although Germany ratified the Decision in March 2024, the process was marked by delays and debates regarding the constitutionality of electoral thresholds; underlines that while Germany has ratified Council Decision 2018/994, the German electoral law for the European Parliament election has not been amended because as long as the 2 % threshold is not mandatory under European law, it cannot be introduced in German law;

Or. en

Amendment 63

Juan Carlos Girauta Vidal, Alexandre Varaut, Jean-Paul Garraud, Ernő Schaller-Baross

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 7

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

7. Emphasises that Council Decision 2018/994 is not yet in force as the ratification process is still ongoing in Spain; notes that, while Germany has ratified Council Decision 2018/994, the German electoral law for the European Parliament election has not been amended because as long as the 2 % threshold is not mandatory under European law, it cannot be introduced in German law; recalls that, in Spanish elections, there is de facto a minimum threshold and that the Spanish Constitutional Court has repeatedly backed the possibility of introducing thresholds in elections;

Or. en

Amendment 64

Idoia Mendia, Juan Fernando López Aguilar, Krzysztof Śmiszek, Gabriele Bischoff, Brando Benifei

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 7 a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

7 a. Highlights the link and important differences between the 2018 decision and the 2022 proposal for a new Electoral Act and stresses the need to advance the 2022 proposal without delay, which addresses key issues such as the participation and representation of women, through measures such as zipped lists or gender quotas, and represents a crucial step towards a more coherent, accessible, and truly European electoral system; underlines the role of the 2022 proposal as a potential catalyst for new positive reforms and for overcoming the difficulties faced by Member States in implementing the 2018 reform;

Or. en

Amendment 65

Sandro Gozi, Charles Goerens

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 7 a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

7 a. Points out that Parliament’s proposal for a reform of the electoral law of 3 May 2022 addresses the matter of representation of national and linguistic minorities by introducing an exemption to the obligation to establish electoral thresholds for national constituencies comprising of more than 60 seats;

Or. en

Amendment 66

Sandro Gozi, Charles Goerens

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 7 b (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

7 b. Stresses that challenges arising from the establishment of electoral thresholds and its potential negative repercussions on the Spanish electoral system can only be addressed in the context of negotiations on the 2022 Parliament’s proposal for the reform of the European Electoral Law;

Or. en

Amendment 67

Patryk Jaki

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 8

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

deleted

Or. pl

Amendment 68

Juan Carlos Girauta Vidal, Alexandre Varaut, Jean-Paul Garraud, Marieke Ehlers, Ernő Schaller-Baross

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 8

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

8. Expresses deep reservations about the European Parliament’s 2022 proposal to reform the European Electoral Act, particularly regarding the creation of transnational electoral lists and the imposition of mandatory quotas; considers that this proposal contains elements which could significantly weaken direct and national representation in the European Parliament, thereby compromising the national sovereignty of the Member States; therefore calls for a comprehensive renegotiation of the 2022 proposal to ensure full respect for the principle of subsidiarity, to strengthen democratic representation based on national realities, and to guarantee the complete respect for the constitutional and political autonomy of each Member State;

Or. en

Amendment 69

Charles Goerens

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 8

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

8. Notes the Commission’s role as the facilitator in the institutional talks between Parliament and the Council on the new proposal to reform the European Electoral Law; considers it essential to engage in a constructive dialogue with the Council to evaluate Parliament’s 2022 proposal and make progress; is convinced that the pending ratification issues of Council Decision 2018/994 should provide new impetus for interinstitutional discussions on the 2022 proposal; calls on the Institutions concerned to accommodate national and constitutional concerns related to the threshold through a dedicated provision in the new electoral law to enable swift ratification;

Or. en

Amendment 70

Reinier Van Lanschot

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 8

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

8. Notes the Commission’s role as the facilitator in the institutional talks between Parliament and the Council on the new proposal to reform the European Electoral Law; points out that, while some exchanges have taken place between the Parliament and the Council on the European Parliament’s 2022 proposal for a new European Electoral Act, these have not led to any substantive progress; underlines that the lack of progress is not due to technical or legal obstacles, but to a persistent lack of political will among Member States to engage seriously with Parliament’s proposals;

Or. en

Amendment 71

Sandro Gozi, Charles Goerens

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 8

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

8. Notes the Commission’s role as the facilitator in the institutional talks between Parliament and the Council on the new proposal to reform the European Electoral Law; Calls on Council to comply with the principle of mutual and sincere cooperation and to engage in constructive interinstitutional dialogue to advance and finalise negotiations on Parliament’s 2022 proposal;

Or. en

Amendment 72

Reinier Van Lanschot

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 8 a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

8 a. Recalls that, in the context of interinstitutional exchanges, certain attempts have been made to reframe the electoral reform process by using Council Decision 2018/994 as a baseline and selectively adding the least controversial elements of the 2022 proposal, possibly in a non-binding form; notes with concern that such an approach would substantially weaken the ambition and coherence of the reform; recalls that, according to the Council Legal Service, Council Decision 2018/994 can no longer be substantively amended, given the advanced state of the ratification process, and that any future reform must be based on a new legal act, as initiated by the European Parliament in 2022;

Or. en

Amendment 73

Reinier Van Lanschot

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 8 b (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

8 b. Recalls that this reluctance to engage with Parliament’s role in shaping its own electoral procedure as per Article 223 TFEU reflects a broader tendency to marginalise and disregard the Parliament’s proposals and initiatives; calls on Parliament to demonstrate stronger political leadership, fully defend its 2022 proposal and actively build the political pressure to unlock this institutional impasse;

Or. en

Amendment 74

Reinier Van Lanschot

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 8 c (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

8 c. Stresses that a harmonised and binding European Electoral Act will be essential in the context of future enlargements of the Union, which is expected to grow to more than 30 Member States in the coming years; underlines that candidate countries are required to undertake ambitious reforms to align with the Union’s acquis and democratic standards, and that the existence of a clear, uniform framework for European elections would serve as a powerful tool to guide and support this alignment; considers that such a framework would also provide stronger safeguards against external interference and democratic backsliding, by reinforcing transparency and oversight, as well as electoral integrity and equality across the Union;

Or. en

Amendment 75

Reinier Van Lanschot

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 9

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

9. Considers the transparency of the electoral process and access to reliable information to be essential factors in raising European political awareness and securing an election turnout that is high enough to constitute a mandate from the electorate; highlights that candidates should have the same opportunities to campaign and that citizens should be informed well in advance about the candidates standing in the European elections, and calls therefore for the harmonisation of deadlines for the submission of electoral lists across Member States, as envisaged in Parliament's 2022 proposal for a new European Electoral Act;

Or. en

Amendment 76

Charles Goerens, Sandro Gozi

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 9

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

9. Considers the transparency of the electoral process and access to reliable information to be essential factors in raising European political awareness and securing an election turnout that is high enough to constitute a mandate from the electorate; recognizes, simultaneously, the right to stand as a political candidate and the principle of equal opportunities before the law and equal opportunity for all political parties as key political and civil rights; highlights that citizens should be informed well in advance about the candidates standing in the European elections;

Or. en

Amendment 77

Patryk Jaki

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 9

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

Or. pl

Amendment 78

Juan Carlos Girauta Vidal, Alexandre Varaut, Jean-Paul Garraud, Marieke Ehlers, Ernő Schaller-Baross

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 9

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

9. Considers the transparency of the electoral process and access to reliable information to be essential factors in raising political awareness and securing an election turnout that is high enough to constitute a mandate from the electorate; highlights that citizens should be informed well in advance about the candidates standing in the European elections;

Or. en

Amendment 79

Reinier Van Lanschot

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 10

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

10. Emphasises that it is essential to facilitate access to voting in European elections and to guarantee that all those who have the right to vote are able to exercise this right through postal voting or other complementary means; calls on the Member States to ensure access to information and voting on an equal basis for all citizens, including for persons with disabilities especially when public structures are not adapted;

10. Emphasises that it is essential to facilitate access to voting in European elections and to guarantee that all those who have the right to vote are able to exercise this right through postal voting or other complementary means; stresses that complementary means may include advance physical voting, proxy voting, and secure electronic or internet voting, with appropriate safeguards for the secrecy, integrity and accessibility of the vote; underlines that such measures are crucial to ensure participation of citizens who face physical, geographic, social or legal barriers to voting in person; furthermore calls on the Member States to ensure access to information and voting on an equal basis for all citizens, including for persons with disabilities especially when public structures are not adapted, in line with Parliament's 2022 proposals;

Or. en

Amendment 80

Idoia Mendia, Juan Fernando López Aguilar, Krzysztof Śmiszek, Gabriele Bischoff, Brando Benifei

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 10

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

10. Emphasises that it is essential to facilitate access to voting in European elections and to guarantee that all those who have the right to vote are able to exercise this right through postal voting or other complementary means; calls on the Member States to ensure access to information and voting on an equal basis for all citizens, including for persons with disabilities especially when public structures are not adapted;

Or. en

Amendment 81

Juan Carlos Girauta Vidal, Alexandre Varaut, Jean-Paul Garraud, Marieke Ehlers, Ernő Schaller-Baross

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 10

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

10. Emphasises that it is essential to facilitate access to voting in European elections and to guarantee that all those who have the right to vote are able to exercise this right through postal voting or other complementary means; calls on the Member States to ensure access to information and voting on an equal basis for all citizens, including for persons with disabilities especially when public structures are not adapted;

10. Recognises the importance of facilitating access to voting in European elections and of ensuring that all eligible voters are able to exercise this right, including through postal voting or other complementary means; nevertheless underlines that any additional mechanisms must be implemented with strict guarantees of security and transparency to prevent electoral fraud and to safeguard public confidence in the process; furthermore stresses that it is the responsibility of each Member State to regulate and oversee such procedures, ensuring access to information and voting on equal terms for all citizens, including persons with disabilities, while always respecting their sovereignty and constitutional frameworks;

Or. en

Amendment 82

Charles Goerens

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 10

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

10. Emphasises that it is essential to facilitate access to voting in European elections and to guarantee that all those who have the right to vote are able to exercise this right through postal voting or other complementary means; calls on the Member States to ensure access to information and voting on an equal basis for all citizens, including for persons with disabilities especially when public structures are not adapted;

10. Emphasises that it is essential to facilitate access to voting in European elections and to guarantee that all those who have the right to vote are able to exercise this right through harmonised provisions for postal voting, early voting and secure electronic voting; calls on the Commission to establish minimum EU-wide standards for these alternative voting methods to ensure equal and effective participation for all citizens, regardless of their Member State of residence; calls on the Member States to ensure access to information and voting on an equal basis for all citizens, including for persons with disabilities especially when public structures are not adapted;

Or. en

Amendment 83

Patryk Jaki

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 10

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

10. Emphasises that it is essential to facilitate access to voting in European elections and to guarantee that all those who have the right to vote are able to exercise this right through postal voting or other complementary means; calls on the Member States to ensure access to information and voting on an equal basis for all citizens, including for persons with disabilities especially when public structures are not adapted;

10. Emphasises that it is essential to facilitate access to voting in European elections; calls on the Member States to ensure access to information and voting on an equal basis for all citizens, including for persons with disabilities especially when public structures are not adapted;

Or. pl

Amendment 84

Adrián Vázquez Lázara, Borja Giménez Larraz

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 11

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

11. Calls on all Member States to implement all the optional measures included in Council Decision 2018/994 and especially to enhance the visibility of European political parties, European associations of voters and other European electoral entities through media campaigns and on ballot papers and all electoral materials; considers that national parties and associations of voters should indicate, where applicable, their affiliation to the European political parties, or other European electoral entities during the electoral campaign;

11. Calls on all Member States to implement all the optional measures included in Council Decision 2018/994 and especially to enhance the visibility of electoral coalitions for the European Parliament elections, the affiliation of national political parties to European political parties, European associations of voters and other European electoral entities, through media campaigns, the distribution of uniform ballot papers that clearly indicate European alliances throughout the Member State, and indications on all other electoral materials; considers that national parties and associations of voters should indicate, where applicable, their affiliation to the European political parties, or other European electoral entities during the electoral campaign, including on ballot papers;

Or. es

Amendment 85

Reinier Van Lanschot

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 11 a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

11 a. Urges the Member States to introduce a common minimum age for voting and standing as a candidate in European elections, with the aim of aligning national laws and guaranteeing equal political rights for all EU citizens regardless of their Member State, as proposed by Parliament in 2022; encourages further steps to lower these age thresholds in light of emerging national reforms and widespread citizen support for enhanced youth participation in the democratic process;

Or. en

Amendment 86

Reinier Van Lanschot

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 11 b (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

11 b. Encourages Member States to go beyond the minimum requirements of Council Decision 2018/994 and adopt ambitious measures to ensure gender balance in electoral lists, both in national and European-level candidacies, also drawing from the European Parliament’s proposal of 3 May 2022 for a new European Electoral Act, which includes provisions on parity and gender alternation in candidate lists; stresses that national reforms in this area should also ensure full respect for the rights and dignity of non-binary persons;

Or. en

Amendment 87

Reinier Van Lanschot

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 11 c (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

11 c. Calls on all Member States to take concrete steps to harmonise and simplify candidacy requirements, in order to ensure fair and equal access to the electoral process for all political actors, in line with the principles of political pluralism and fair competition enshrined in the Treaties; invites the parties involved to assess existing disparities and issue guidance to promote convergence and reduce unjustified barriers to entry;

Or. en

Amendment 88

Reinier Van Lanschot

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 11 d (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

11 d. Calls on the Member States to support the introduction of temporary replacement mechanisms for Members of the European Parliament on maternity, paternity, paternal or long-term sick leave, as proposed in Parliament’s 2022 proposal on the reform of the European Electoral Act; stresses that such provisions would ensure the continuity of democratic representation while upholding the rights of MEPs in line with modern employment standards and the Union’s gender equality commitments;

Or. en

Amendment 89

Sandro Gozi, Charles Goerens

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 12

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

12. Deeply regrets the political agreement between the Spanish Government and nationalist parties that hinders any changes to the Spanish Electoral Law (LOREG) and ultimately prevents the ratification of Council Decision 2018/994; urges Spain to initiate formal legislative proceedings as soon as possible to approve Council Decision 2018/994, including the introduction of electoral thresholds, as this would help mitigate fragmentation within the European Parliament and contribute to ensuring a more stable and functional institution better able to represent citizens effectively;

deleted

Or. en

Amendment 90

Idoia Mendia, Juan Fernando López Aguilar, Krzysztof Śmiszek, Gabriele Bischoff, Brando Benifei

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 12

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

12. Encourages all parties concerned in Spain, in full respect of its constitutional procedures and as highlighted during the official AFCO mission to Madrid in May 2025, to engage in a constructive political dialogue with a view to resolving the outstanding issues related to the ratification of Council Decision 2018/994;

Or. en

Amendment 91

Juan Carlos Girauta Vidal

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 12

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

12. Deeply regrets that the Spanish Government has made the ratification of Council Decision (EU, Euratom) 2018/994 conditional upon political agreements with nationalist and separatist parties that undermine Spanish national sovereignty and seriously distort democratic representation in the European Parliament; firmly denounces that such agreements, driven by partisan interests and contrary to the general interest, pose a direct threat to the Spanish constitutional integrity and to equality among citizens; urgently calls on the Government of Spain to abandon these harmful alliances and to proceed without delay to the ratification of the Council Decision, establishing as soon as possible the highest electoral threshold permitted within the range (5%) to ensure genuine and effective parliamentary representation;

Or. en

Amendment 92

Nikolas Farantouris

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 12

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

12. Urges Spain to initiate formal legislative proceedings as soon as possible to approve Council Decision 2018/994, including the introduction of electoral thresholds, as this would help mitigate fragmentation within the European Parliament and contribute to ensuring a more stable and functional institution better able to represent citizens effectively;

Or. en

Amendment 93

Charles Goerens, Sandro Gozi

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 12

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

12. Takes note of the political agreement between the Spanish Government and nationalist parties that hinders any changes to the Spanish Electoral Law (LOREG) and ultimately prevents the ratification of Council Decision 2018/994; acknowledges that the Spanish parliament’s refusal to ratify and adopt the necessary regulatory arrangements is within parliamentary prerogatives safeguarded by Art. 223 TFEU;

Or. en

Amendment 94

Reinier Van Lanschot

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 12

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

12. Points out that the Council Decision 2018/994, originally proposed by Parliament in 2015, has lost political momentum over time and does not fully reflect anymore the evolving priorities and institutional developments of the past decade; underlines that the prolonged stalemate in Spain casts serious doubts on the feasibility of concluding the ratification process in the foreseeable future; therefore, calls once again for a shift in institutional focus towards Parliament’s updated and more ambitious 2022 proposal, which offers a more comprehensive and future-oriented framework;

Or. en

Amendment 95

Nikolas Farantouris

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 12 a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

12 a. Recalls the need for a targeted amendment to the European Electoral Act to allow Members of the European Parliament that are making use of parenthood rules to delegate their plenary vote to another Member of their choice;

Or. en

Amendment 96

Sandro Gozi, Charles Goerens

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 13

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

13. Considers it necessary, should Spain not initiate legislative proceedings as soon as possible, that Parliament invoke the urgent necessity of approving Council Decision 2018/994, by sending a formal letter to the Council, on the basis of the principle of sincere cooperation enshrined in Article 4(3) TEU;

deleted

Or. en

Amendment 97

Juan Carlos Girauta Vidal, Alexandre Varaut, Jean-Paul Garraud

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 13

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

deleted

Or. en

Amendment 98

Nikolas Farantouris

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 13

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

13. Calls on the Council to engage in good faith and in a spirit of sincere cooperation in interinstitutional negotiations with a view to reaching a balanced agreement based on Parliament’s 2022 proposal;

Or. en

Amendment 99

Reinier Van Lanschot

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 13

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

13. Considers it necessary, should Spain not initiate legislative proceedings as soon as possible, that Parliament assess the opportunity to move beyond the stalled approval of Council Decision 2018/994, and instead resume work on the basis of its own renewed mandate, as expressed in the 2022 proposal for a new European Electoral Act;

Or. en

Amendment 100

Idoia Mendia, Juan Fernando López Aguilar, Krzysztof Śmiszek, Gabriele Bischoff, Brando Benifei

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 13

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

13. Highlights the right of national parliaments to conduct their ratification procedures in accordance with their national legal and political frameworks, while underlining the importance of collective commitment to the democratic functioning of the Union;

Or. en

Amendment 101

Reinier Van Lanschot

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 13 a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

13 a. Further notes that, based on recent informal exchanges, it has become clear that meaningful progress on the 2022 proposal will require proactive support from an upcoming Council Presidency; encourages future presidencies, in particular those of Cyprus and Ireland, to take ownership of facilitating renewed negotiations on the basis of the 2022 text; calls on the Parliament to continue building alliances with likeminded Member States in order to generate political momentum around a more ambitious and coherent electoral reform;

Or. en

Amendment 102

Sandro Gozi, Charles Goerens

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 13 a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

13 a. Underscores that Art. 223 TFEU establishes an overly cumbersome procedure for the adoption of procedures for the election of its Members by direct universal suffrage;

Or. en

Amendment 103

Reinier Van Lanschot

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 13 b (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

13 b. Finally urges the European Parliament to reaffirm once and for all the commitment to its 2022 proposal for a new European Electoral Act, which represents a comprehensive and ambitious reform package; recalls that the proposal includes key innovations such as the creation of a Union-wide constituency with transnational lists, the establishment of a European electoral authority, a uniform voting age, postal voting, enhanced visibility for European political parties on ballot papers and campaigns, minimum rules for campaigns, binding requirements of accessibility and measures to ensure gender equality in candidate lists; underlines that the proposal also serves a simplification purpose, as it would repeal and replace the already amended 1976 Electoral Act with a single, coherent legal framework better suited for today’s Union; underlines that a strong, harmonised electoral framework will be indispensable to prevent fragmentation in view of the enlargement process, ensuring that new Member States join a shared and stable democratic structure from the outset; stresses that abandoning this proposal would send a signal of resignation and weaken the credibility of Parliament’s own legislative initiative power under Article 223 TFEU;

Or. en

Amendment 104

Sandro Gozi, Charles Goerens

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 13 b (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

13 b. Encourages Council to commence a discussion on amendments to Art. 223 TFEU, in line with the recommendations made by the European Parliament in its report with amendments to the Treaties of 7 November 2023;

Or. en