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DRAFT OPINION (2023/2085(INI))

On the implementation of the Treaty provisions on EU citizenship

LIBE-PA-753701

Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs · Rapporteur: Beata Kempa

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The Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs gives its suggestions to the Committee on Constitutional Affairs for a resolution on EU citizenship. It says EU citizenship depends on holding a Member State's nationality, which only Member States can grant. It asks Member States to tell non-national Union citizens about their voting rights and to let them register as voters when they register as residents. It asks Member States to make voting easier for citizens with disabilities, including help from a person of their choice, and to try to offer postal, advance, proxy and electronic voting. It urges the Council and the Commission to restart talks on revising Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001 so citizens can fully use their right to access documents and scrutinise EU institutions.

Committee position. The Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs calls on the Committee on Constitutional Affairs to incorporate its suggestions into the motion for a resolution. It proposes that EU citizenship remain dependent on Member State citizenship, that Member States inform and register non-national Union citizens as voters, that they facilitate voting for persons with disabilities, and that the Council and Commission resume talks on revising Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001.

Key points

  1. EU citizenship is tied to and depends on the citizenship of a Member State, which is an exclusive Member State competence.
  2. There can be no way to obtain EU citizenship other than by obtaining a Member State's citizenship under its national requirements.
  3. Member States should inform non-national Union citizens, on registration in their Member State of residence, about their electoral rights and procedures for European and municipal elections.
  4. Member States should offer these citizens the possibility to register as a voter immediately.
  5. Member States should put in place arrangements suited to their national voting procedures to help citizens with disabilities vote, such as choosing polling stations and using assistive technologies, formats and techniques.
  6. Member States should let persons with disabilities, at their request, receive assistance in voting from a person of their choice.
  7. Member States should endeavour to provide for postal voting, and possibly advance physical voting, proxy voting and electronic and online voting.
  8. The Council and the Commission are urged to resume negotiations on revising Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001.
  9. The aim of that revision is to ensure EU citizens can fully exercise their right to access documents and scrutinise EU institutions, bodies, offices and agencies.

Who is affected

  • Member States, which are asked to inform non-national Union citizens about electoral rights and to facilitate voting, including for persons with disabilities.
  • Non-national Union citizens living in another Member State, who would be told about their electoral rights and could register as voters immediately.
  • Citizens with disabilities, who could choose polling stations, use assistive technologies and get help from a person of their choice.
  • The Council and the Commission, which are urged to resume negotiations on revising Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001.