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Adopted text

Proxy voting in plenary for Members during pregnancy and after giving birth

TA-10-2025-0257 · P10_TA(2025)0257 · PE778.275

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

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Parliament proposes amending the European Electoral Act to allow Members to vote by proxy in plenary during pregnancy and after giving birth, for up to three months before the estimated birth date and six months after.

Key points

  1. Parliament decides to strengthen maternity rules for Members who wish to continue parliamentary duties.
  2. The proposal enables a pregnant Member or one who has given birth to have her vote cast by another Member as proxy for a maximum of three months before the estimated date of birth and six months after.
  3. The reform aims to allow Members to fully exercise their mandates in periods before and after becoming mothers, improving institutional fairness and inclusion.
  4. The proposal is submitted to the Council for adoption, subject to approval by Member States according to their constitutional requirements.

Who is affected

  • Members of the European Parliament who are pregnant or have given birth, allowing them to delegate their plenary vote.

Figures and deadlines

  • Maximum period of three months before the estimated date of birth and six months after the birth for proxy voting.

Legal basis: Article 223(1) TFEU and Article 106a(1) EAEC