Sittings · Document
Follow-up to the European Parliament non-legislative resolution on the reform of the European Electoral Act – hurdles to ratification and implementation in the Member States
Rapporteur: Borja Giménez Larraz (EPP / ES)
References: 2025/2028(INI) / A10-0252/2025 / P10_TA(2026)0006
Date of adoption of the resolution: 20 January 2026
Competent Parliamentary Committee: Committee on Constitutional Affairs (AFCO)
Brief analysis/ assessment of the resolution and requests made in it:
The European Parliament’s resolution tackles the ongoing efforts to reform its electoral procedure under Article 223 TFEU. It argues that a truly uniform procedure has not yet been achieved, which has led to uneven implementation and fragmentation, which would not correspond to the European Parliament’s stronger role since the Lisbon Treaty.
It also notes that while some common rules already exist (proportional representation, a maximum 5% threshold, and a ban on dual voting), elections to the European Parliament are still largely governed by national laws, campaigns remain mostly national, and European political parties are unable to sufficiently fulfil their mandates and ‘contribute to forming European political awareness and to expressing the will of citizens of the Union’, as required by Article 10(4) of the Treaty on European Union (TEU).
The European Parliament highlights transparency and reliable information as essential for raising European political awareness and achieving a high voter turnout. It calls for equal campaign opportunities for candidates and timely information for voters about who is standing in European elections.
The Resolution calls, inter alia, on Member States to harmonise deadlines for fielding candidate lists, and candidacy requirements, enhancing the visibility and role of European parties, making participation more inclusive - especially by guaranteeing postal voting and removing barriers for persons with disabilities. It also urges Member States to finalise the ratification of Council Decision 2018/994, implement all optional measures set out therein, and restart discussions on the Parliament’s 2022 reform proposal without delay.
Response to requests and overview of actions taken, or intended to be taken, by the Commission:
For elections to the European Parliament, certain common principles and procedures are set out in EU law, including the European Electoral Act and the rules implementing Article 22 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), enabling mobile EU citizens to exercise their right to vote and stand in the elections to the European Parliament in their EU Member State of residence.
EU action in support of free, fair and inclusive elections offers important added value, including in the elections to the European Parliament. Since 2019, as part of a broader effort to promote and strengthen democracy, the EU has reinforced its support to Member States in this field. Initiatives such as those under the 2020 European Democracy Action Plan, the 2021 package of measures to reinforce democracy and protect the integrity of elections in the EU, and the 2023 Defence of Democracy package have provided new tools to reinforce the effectiveness of the rights related to European Parliament elections.
The Commission plays no formal role in the Article 223 TFEU procedure. As mentioned in paragraph 11 of the Resolution, it has been following discussions between the Council and the European Parliament to reform the European Electoral Act and further harmonise electoral rules concerning the elections to the European Parliament.
The Commission shares the view of the importance of transparency of the electoral process and access to reliable information in securing a high voter turnout in the elections to the European Parliament (paragraph 12). It also supports the emphasis placed by the European Parliament on the need to facilitate access to voting in European elections and support inclusive participation of persons with disabilities (paragraph 13). The Commission also welcomes the call to Member States to enhance the visibility of electoral alliances in European elections (paragraph 14).
Empowering EU citizens and ensuring broad and inclusive participation in elections to the European Parliament is also essential for the Commission, whose democratic legitimacy is based among others on being accountable to the European Parliament, under Article 17(8) of the Treaty on European Union (TEU).
The Report on the 2024 elections to the European Parliament provides an overview of the Commission’s efforts to promote high voter turnout and participation of different groups, including its 2023 Recommendation on elections to Member States, European and national political parties, foundations, and campaign organisations, awareness raising among Member States, notably through the European Cooperation Network on Elections, support to EU-wide ‘get-out-to-vote’ campaigns and common EU channels for informing citizens where and how to register and vote. The Report also notes the steps taken by Member States to inform EU citizens about elections, support participation of persons with disabilities in elections, and enhance transparency regarding affiliations between national and European political parties.
Equally important, the Commission’s proposal for a recast of the Directive on the voting rights of mobile EU citizens in elections to the European Parliament has been adopted by the Council in June 2025. These rules aim to promote broad and inclusive participation of mobile EU citizens in elections, particularly by ensuring that they receive detailed information on how to exercise their electoral rights.
At the same time, the Report on the 2024 elections to the European Parliament suggests that further improvements of the inclusiveness of electoral participation and citizens’ engagement are needed. Support for high turnout and inclusive participation in European democracy remains essential. There is also a need to further support efforts to enhance the European dimension of the elections. To achieve these goals, a wide range of actors, particularly Member States, have an important role to play under a whole-of-cycle approach.