Reform of the European Electoral Act – hurdles to ratification and implementation in the Member States
Parliament sets out its own position on a topic. The resolution is not binding but signals what Parliament wants.
Where it stands: Parliament adopted the text on 20 January 2026. This is its final position on the matter.
- ✓ Referred to committee 23 January 2025
- ✓ Committee work Report adopted 3 December 2025
- ✓ Tabled for plenary 8 December 2025
- ✓ Plenary vote Adopted 20 January 2026
- ✓ Parliament’s position Final
How a file moves through Parliament
A file is referred to one lead committee (others may give an opinion). Its rapporteur writes a draft report, committee members table amendments, and the committee votes to adopt the report. The report is then tabled for all MEPs; political groups can table further amendments, which are voted on before the final vote in plenary. The adopted resolution is Parliament’s final position; it is not itself law.
Who is working on it
- Lead committee
- AFCO — Constitutional Affairs
- Rapporteur
- Borja GIMÉNEZ LARRAZ PPE
- Shadow rapporteurs
- Idoia MENDIA S&DJuan Carlos GIRAUTA VIDAL PfEPatryk JAKI ECRCharles GOERENS RenewReinier VAN LANSCHOT Verts/ALENikolas FARANTOURIS The Left
The rapporteur drafts and negotiates the text for the lead committee; each other political group names a shadow rapporteur to follow the file.
The text, version by version
Latest Tabled for plenary → Adopted by Parliament: The versions differ only in formal points: the committee report's explanatory statement is replaced by the adopted resolution's official text and references. see the changes →
Committee draft → Tabled for plenary: Adds recitals on uniform procedure benefits and ratification requirements, and expands on fragmentation and minorities. Strengthens calls for harmonising electoral deadlines, accessibility, and visibility of European parties. Drops specific criticism of Spain and adds general calls for ratification and harmonising candidacy rules. The other changes are wording and formal updates, including references to Council Decision (EU, Euratom) 2018/994. see the changes →
Newest version first. Open a version to read it in full. “What changed” shows the differences paragraph by paragraph; ✦ lines are AI-written from the texts themselves.
Timeline
- Plenary stage
- 20 January 2026 Plenary voteAdopted Adopted by a large majorityFor 417 Against 234 Abstained 9
Final vote — text as a whole at 13:16 · 63% of votes cast in favour · every MEP’s position →
Show all 21 ballots in voting order
AdoptedAdopted3. Amendment 2, adding text after paragraph 3 13:13 A10-0252/2025 – Borja Giménez Larraz – After § 3 – Am 2Rejected4. Separate vote on paragraph 3AdoptedA vote by raised hands. Only the outcome is recorded, not who voted how. — no individual positions recorded5. Separate vote on paragraph 3AdoptedA vote by raised hands. Only the outcome is recorded, not who voted how. — no individual positions recordedAdopted7. Separate vote on paragraph 4RejectedA vote by raised hands. Only the outcome is recorded, not who voted how. — no individual positions recorded8. Separate vote on paragraph 5AdoptedA vote by raised hands. Only the outcome is recorded, not who voted how. — no individual positions recorded9. Amendment 4, adding text after paragraph 5 13:14 A10-0252/2025 – Borja Giménez Larraz – After § 5 – Am 4Rejected10. Separate vote on paragraph 12AdoptedA vote by raised hands. Only the outcome is recorded, not who voted how. — no individual positions recorded11. Amendment 5, adding text after paragraph 12 13:14 A10-0252/2025 – Borja Giménez Larraz – After § 12 – Am 5Rejected12. Separate vote on paragraph 14AdoptedA vote by raised hands. Only the outcome is recorded, not who voted how. — no individual positions recorded13. Separate vote on recital BAdoptedA vote by raised hands. Only the outcome is recorded, not who voted how. — no individual positions recordedAdoptedAdopted16. Separate vote on recital FAdoptedA vote by raised hands. Only the outcome is recorded, not who voted how. — no individual positions recordedAdoptedAdoptedRejectedAdopted21. Final vote — text as a whole 13:16 A10-0252/2025 – Borja Giménez Larraz – Motion for a resolution (as a whole)Adopted - 14 January 2026 5 amendments tabled for the plenary vote
Groups propose changes to the tabled text; each is voted on before the final vote.
- 8 December 2025 Report tabled for plenary
This is the text all MEPs vote on. Political groups can still table amendments to it.
- Committee stage
- 3 December 2025 Committee vote: report adopted
AFCO (Constitutional Affairs) voted on the amendments and adopted the report that goes to plenary.
- 14 July 2025 Amendments tabled in committee
Members of AFCO (Constitutional Affairs) proposed changes to the draft.
- 10 June 2025 Draft report published
The rapporteur’s first text in AFCO (Constitutional Affairs). Members can table amendments before the committee votes.
- 23 January 2025 Referred to the AFCO (Constitutional Affairs) committee
The lead committee prepares Parliament’s report.