Opinion on the Proposal for a Council Directive laying down detailed arrangements for the exercise of the right to vote and to stand as a candidate in elections to the European Parliament for Union citizens residing in a Member State of which they are not nationals (recast)

20.3.2025

Mr Sven Simon

Chair

Committee on Constitutional Affairs

BRUSSELS

Subject: Opinion on the Proposal for a Council Directive laying down detailed arrangements for the exercise of the right to vote and to stand as a candidate in elections to the European Parliament for Union citizens residing in a Member State of which they are not nationals (recast) (2021/0372 (CNS) – COM(2021)0732 – C100001/2024 – LIBE/10/00399)

Dear Mr Simon,

Under the procedure referred to above, the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE Committee) has been asked to submit an opinion to your committee. At their meeting of 6 March 2025, the LIBE Committee coordinators decided to send the opinion in the form of a letter pursuant to Rule 57(1) of the Rules of Procedure. The LIBE Committee discussed the matter at its meeting of 19 March and adopted the opinion at that meeting.

The Parliament adopted its position in the above consultation procedure on 14 February 2023 by a large majority of the votes cast. The LIBE Committee, as opinion giving committee, issued its opinion to the report of the Committee on Constitutional Affairs (AFCO Committee), as committee responsible, on 26 October 2022, also by a large majority of its members. On 16 May 2024, the Council decided to re-consult the Parliament on the text agreed by the Council. The LIBE Committee decided to support the recommendation from the rapporteur for opinion that the LIBE Committee sends its views in the form of a letter from the Chair informing the AFCO Committee that it wishes to keep the LIBE Opinion of 26 October 2022 (2021/0372(CNS)), adopted in the consultation procedure of last term. Nevertheless, it takes note of the text agreed by the Council, acknowledging some positive steps taken towards the LIBE opinion.

The LIBE Committee, therefore, calls on the AFCO Committee, as committee responsible, to take into account its views.

Yours sincerely,

Javier Zarzalejos

ANNEX: ENTITIES OR PERSONS FROM WHOM THE RAPPORTEUR HAS RECEIVED INPUT

The rapporteur for the opinion declares under her exclusive responsibility that she did not receive input from any entity or person to be mentioned in this Annex pursuant to Article 8 of Annex I to the Rules of Procedure.