The European Parliament endorsed today by 397 votes to 207 against, with 62 abstentions new measures to modernise the European electoral law. Among the new provisions, Parliament approved a proposal to introduce a mandatory threshold for constituencies with more than 35 seats. This threshold must not go below 2% and not exceed 5% of the votes cast. The new rule will also apply to single-constituency member states with more than 35 seats. Of the EU countries with more than 35 seats, all except Spain and Germany have a statutory electoral threshold for the EU elections. These two countries will now have to comply with the new obligation and introduce a threshold in time for the European elections in 2024, at the latest.
«The reform of the European electoral law is a big success and an achievement for the European Parliament, declared Parliament’s EPP co-rapporteur Danuta Maria Hübner. It will make the elections more accessible to millions of citizens and make the way they are prepared and run more transparent. In addition, measures against double voting and a minimum deadline for establishing electoral lists have been introduced. These measures will reinforce transparency and citizens’ trust in the elections».
Other elements in the new electoral law include a requirement for EU countries to introduce and enforce effective and dissuasive penalties to prevent double voting (in the event that an EU citizen votes twice in more than one country). Member states shall also designate a contact authority responsible for exchanging information on EU citizens who want to vote or be a political candidate in a country of which they are not nationals. This data exchange must start at least six weeks before the EU elections.
EU countries may also allow for the name and logo of European political parties to be displayed on national ballot papers and provide for the possibility of advance, postal, electronic and internet voting, as long as certain criteria, such as protection of personal data and secrecy of the vote, are respected.
In accordance with their national laws, EU countries are also free to allow their citizens living in non-EU countries to vote in the EU elections, as well as to set a deadline for the submission of political candidates. This deadline must be at least three weeks before the date of the elections, according to the text.
«The reform of the European electoral law is a necessary and much awaited step forward for European citizens, welcomed Jo Leinen, S&D Group spokesperson for constitutional affairs and Parliament negotiator for the reform. After almost three years of intensive negotiations, the European Council finally reached a unanimous agreement on this crucial issue. In 2014, Europeans had a direct say on the future President of the European Commission for the first time, he added. By increasing the awareness of the link between the national parties and candidates running in the elections and their affiliation with a European political party, the reform further enhances the “Spitzenkandidaten”-process, thus ensuring that next year’s election is more than just 28 separate national elections but a truly European one. This is the first successful reform for more than 40 years, and opens the door for subsequent steps to further improve European democracy.
According to Leinen, «the new rules will also render the elections more accessible, by giving the right to vote to EU-citizens living in third countries outside of the EU, which will benefit millions of citizens. The possibility of introducing postal and electronic voting will provide the citizens with more options to take part in the elections. Measures against double-voting will contribute to increased trust in the electoral process».
A a next step, once the provisions have been adopted by plenary, they will also have to be approved by all EU countries, in line with their respective constitutional requirements, before they can enter into force
Photo: EP Audiovisual service