Dokument - Think Tank - Europaparlamentet

Briefing - Voting from abroad in European �Ϸ��վ elections - 22-03-2024

Fri, 22 Mar 2024 13:26:40 GMT

Across the European Union (EU), national provisions regarding the right to vote for citizens living abroad are not consistent. However, recent legislative changes seem to suggest a positive trend towards allowing out-of-country voting in most EU Member States. When it comes to voting from abroad, countries need to carefully assess and address various issues. These include: the identification of potential voters; how to inform them about their right to vote and stand as a candidate from abroad; the design and implementation of timely registration processes; the training of staff in diplomatic missions (for in-person voting in consular and diplomatic missions); the design and implementation of secure voting procedures, as well as the possible transportation of ballots from abroad. Against this backdrop, the legal and practical arrangements for voting in the European elections for citizens who live or are temporarily outside their home Member State vary greatly between the Member States. Most allow voting at embassies or consulates abroad, several allow citizens living abroad to vote by post, a few allow voting by proxy, and one (Estonia) allows electronic voting. On the other hand, Czechia, Ireland, Malta and Slovakia do not permit their citizens to vote in the European elections from abroad. Ahead of the European elections in June 2024, this briefing provides an overview of the national provisions concerning voting from abroad in the 27 EU Member States. This briefing is an update of one published in September 2023. The latest elections-related statistical information about the Member States is from August 2023, with the exception of Greece and Belgium, for which it was updated in March 2024.

Källa : © Europeiska unionen, 2024 - EP

Kort sammanfattning - People with disabilities and the European elections - 23-02-2024

Fri, 23 Feb 2024 16:23:49 GMT

People with disabilities still find it hard to participate in elections in the European Union. This infographic compares national practices aimed at helping people with disabilities exercise their electoral rights in the EU.

Källa : © Europeiska unionen, 2024 - EP

Briefing - Prisoners' voting rights in European �Ϸ��վ elections - 07-09-2023

Wed, 06 Sep 2023 22:00:00 GMT

In the European Union, provisions concerning prisoners' right to vote vary from one Member State to another. While a significant number of EU Member States place no restrictions at all on prisoners voting, many Member States deprive inmates of the right to vote, depending on the type of offence committed and/or the length of their sentence. A small number of Member States deprive inmates of the right to vote permanently, even after they have served their sentences. In those cases where inmates do have the right to vote, the process is facilitated in various ways, including postal votes, proxy votes and the creation of special polling stations. The arguments in favour and against disenfranchisement on account of a criminal conviction are well known. Those in favour argue that depriving a person of the right to vote is part of the punitive process, while those against argue that voting is a right linked to citizenship and when individuals are convicted and lose their right to liberty, they do not cease to exist as citizens. They argue that deprivation of the right to vote should not be part of the punitive process because there is no evidence supporting the claim that disenfranchisement acts as a significant deterrent. The current European Electoral Act on elections to the European �Ϸ��վ does not provide for a uniform electoral system applicable in all the EU Member States. It contains a set of common principles that are to be upheld in the different domestic laws applicable to European elections. It does not define expressly and precisely who is entitled to vote or stand for election. Nor does it contain specific provisions concerning the exercise of the right to vote of prisoners. The definition of such provisions remains within the competence of each Member State. This briefing looks at the international and European standards applicable to the right to vote of prisoners. It also examines the existing provisions in the 27 EU Member States in relation the European �Ϸ��վ elections. This briefing is one in a series of publications looking ahead to the 2024 European elections.

Källa : © Europeiska unionen, 2023 - EP

Studie - Strengthening the right to participate: legitimacy and resilience of electoral processes in illiberal political systems and authoritarian regimes - 14-03-2023

Sun, 26 Mar 2023 22:00:00 GMT

In 2022, the Human Rights Subcommittee decided to prepare a Recommendation to the Council, the Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy on how to respond to undemocratic elections by strengthening the human right to participate in public affairs. On 25 January 2023, a Workshop was organised on behalf of the Human Rights Subcommittee to discuss the challenge of elections in authoritarian countries from a human rights perspective. It focused on authoritarian leaders’ strategies to enhance their legitimacy and undermine international democracy standards, as well as proposals for further refining the EU’s human rights and democracy support toolbox. This report brings together the background briefings prepared for the workshop and a summary of the debate with Members, academics and EU representatives.

Källa : © Europeiska unionen, 2023 - EP

Briefing - Revision of Council Directive 93/109/EC: Electoral rights of mobile EU citizens in elections to the European �Ϸ��վ - 09-02-2023

Wed, 08 Feb 2023 23:00:00 GMT

On 25 November 2021, the European Commission submitted a proposal to modify Directive 93/109/EC on the right of mobile European Union (EU) citizens – those residing in a Member State of which they are not nationals – to vote and stand as candidates in elections to the European �Ϸ��վ. The proposal was presented with three others: to modify the rules on EU citizens' rights in municipal elections; to set rules on political advertising; and to revise the rules on EU political party and foundation funding. Directive 93/109/EC gives EU citizens the same rights to vote and to be elected in European �Ϸ��վ elections as the citizens of the Member State in which they reside; Member States have varying rules on the exercise of these rights. The Commission proposal seeks to address some of the concerns raised about the implementation of the directive. In �Ϸ��վ, the file was referred to the Committee on Constitutional Affairs. The committee adopted its report on 1 December 2022 and a vote in plenary is scheduled for the February II 2023 plenary session. First edition. The 'EU Legislation in Progress' briefings are updated at key stages throughout the legislative procedure.

Källa : © Europeiska unionen, 2023 - EP

Kort sammanfattning - Electoral rights of mobile EU citizens in European �Ϸ��վ elections - 08-02-2023

Wed, 08 Feb 2023 16:18:05 GMT

During the February II plenary session, under the consultation procedure, the �Ϸ��վ is due to vote on the report on a Commission proposal concerning the right of 'mobile' EU citizens, that is, those residing and voting in a Member State of which they are not nationals, to vote in European �Ϸ��վ elections. Under this procedure, the Council – expected to adopt the proposal by unanimity – is not bound by �Ϸ��վ's opinion.

Källa : © Europeiska unionen, 2023 - EP

Kort sammanfattning - Electoral rights of mobile EU citizens in municipal elections - 08-02-2023

Wed, 08 Feb 2023 07:05:16 GMT

During the February II plenary session, under the consultation procedure, the European �Ϸ��վ is due to vote on the report on a European Commission proposal concerning the right to vote in municipal elections of 'mobile' EU citizens, that is, those residing and voting in a Member State of which they are not nationals. Under this procedure, �Ϸ��վ is consulted, while the Council is not bound by �Ϸ��վ's position.

Källa : © Europeiska unionen, 2023 - EP

Briefing - Voting and candidacy rights of mobile EU citizens in municipal elections under Directive 94/80/EC - 29-10-2021

Thu, 28 Oct 2021 22:00:00 GMT

An estimated 13.3 million European Union (EU) citizens live in an EU Member State that is not their country of origin. Of these, over 11 million are of voting age. Under Council Directives 93/109/EC and 94/80/EC, these 'mobile' Europeans are entitled to participate in European and municipal elections in their country of residence. While Member States have successfully transposed both directives, voter turnout among mobile citizens remains low compared to nationals. In its 2020 citizenship report, the European Commission announced a strengthening of electoral rights in European and municipal elections. According to the Commission's 2021 work programme (Annex II), amending proposals are envisaged for the fourth quarter of 2021, as part of the 'Transparency and democracy package'. This briefing explores the operation of Council Directive 94/80/EC on the right to vote and to stand as a candidate in municipal elections and discusses obstacles to citizens' effective exercise of their rights. It also analyses the implications of Brexit on local election rights for both United Kingdom (UK) citizens residing in the EU 27 and EU citizens living in the UK. The resulting post-Brexit status quo is a complex patchwork governed by national law and bilateral agreements. A separate briefing examines the implementation of Directive 93/109/EC regarding European elections.

Källa : © Europeiska unionen, 2021 - EP

Briefing - Voting and candidacy rights of mobile EU citizens in European elections under Council Directive 93/109/EC - 29-10-2021

Thu, 28 Oct 2021 22:00:00 GMT

Under the arrangements set out in Council Directives 93/109/EC and 94/80/EC, EU nationals who live in a Member State other than their own are entitled to participate in European and municipal elections, respectively, in their country of residence. This concerns an estimated 11 million EU citizens of voting age (post-Brexit data). Even if Member States have successfully transposed both directives, voter turnout among mobile citizens remains low compared to nationals. Similarly, only a fraction of candidates standing for European elections is made up of non-nationals (slightly over 1 % in the 2019 elections). The European Commission has announced its intention to update both directives; according to its 2021 work programme (Annex II), amending proposals are envisaged for the fourth quarter of 2021, forming part of the 'transparency and democracy package'. This briefing looks into the operation of Council Directive 93/109/EC on the right to vote and stand as candidate in European elections. It discusses obstacles that hinder mobile EU citizens from effectively exercising their electoral rights, such as registration and communication issues, and looks into the problem of double voting. The implementation of Directive 94/80/EC regarding municipal elections is examined in a separate briefing.

Källa : © Europeiska unionen, 2021 - EP

Studie - Transnational electoral lists: Ways to Europeanise elections to the European �Ϸ��վ - 08-02-2021

Sun, 07 Feb 2021 23:00:00 GMT

Aiming to feed into the forthcoming Conference on the Future of Europe and debate in the European �Ϸ��վ on possible reforms of the 1976 European Electoral Act, this paper from the European �Ϸ��վary Research Service analyses the main proposals to create a European constituency (or constituencies), in which Members of the European �Ϸ��վ would be elected from transnational electoral lists. Such proposals have been discussed over the years in the European �Ϸ��վ itself, as well as in other European and national institutions and academia. Following a review of these proposals, the paper then details the legal changes that would be needed at European and national levels to bring the idea to fruition.

Källa : © Europeiska unionen, 2021 - EP

Studie - Obstacles to participation in local and European elections, inside the E.U. - 15-09-2020

Wed, 23 Sep 2020 22:00:00 GMT

This study, commissioned by the European �Ϸ��վ’s Policy Department for Citizens’ Rights and Constitutional Affairs at the request of the PETI Committee, addresses some major issues of obstacles to elections in general and of obstacles to participation inside the EU more specifically. This is done by focusing on Member States and examples with regard to municipal elections, and European elections, but also in general on de-facto access to the exercise of the right to vote. Various recommendations are formulated.

Källa : © Europeiska unionen, 2020 - EP

Briefing - European Union electoral law: Current situation and historical background - 17-10-2019

Thu, 17 Oct 2019 14:20:41 GMT

�Ϸ��վ did not always enjoy the powers and democratic legitimacy it does now. This is clear from a quick glance at how �Ϸ��վ has evolved. Starting life as an Assembly – a name reminiscent of institutions linked to international diplomacy – with members simply appointed by national parliaments of Member States, it grew into an institution, the European �Ϸ��վ, directly elected by citizens and now the only one representing EU citizens directly. This transformation has taken several decades. Despite �Ϸ��վ's increased role, the current electoral rules remain only partly harmonised, to the extent that there is no uniform electoral process for all Member States. The current situation is that certain fundamental principles are enshrined in the 1976 Electoral Act, but many aspects are regulated by national law. This lack of a uniform electoral process also leads to differences in treatment between EU citizens depending on their country of origin and potentially deprives European elections of a truly European dimension. Several reforms of the EU electoral system have been attempted over the years, but not all have resulted in legislation. The introduction of a transnational constituency in particular is a perennially controversial issue. Some consider it a step towards the genuine 'Europeanisation' of elections, others believe that it could increase the distance between the public and elected representatives. While the co-existence of differing electoral rules under the aegis of common European principles is probably destined to last, the latest reform – adopted in 2018 – will bring in mechanisms designed to increase public participation in the EU political debate and make the appointment of one of the top EU leadership roles, president of the European Commission, more 'political', by means of the Spitzenkandidaten process.

Källa : © Europeiska unionen, 2019 - EP

Kort sammanfattning - Plenary round-up – Strasbourg, July 2018 - 06-07-2018

Fri, 06 Jul 2018 09:11:09 GMT

The July plenary session highlights were: the continuation of the debate on the Future of Europe, this time with the Prime Minister of Poland, Mateusz Morawiecki, the discussion on the outcome of the European Council meeting of 28-29 June 2018, and the review of the Bulgarian and presentation of the activities of the Austrian Presidencies. The European Commission and Council participated in discussions on the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo. VP/HR Federica Mogherini's statement on the migration crisis and humanitarian situation in Venezuela and at its borders was also discussed. Angola's President, João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, addressed �Ϸ��վ in a formal sitting. �Ϸ��վ approved, inter alia, proposals for a European Travel Information and Authorisation System, a European Defence Industrial Development Programme, financial rules applicable to the general EU budget and two amending budgets for 2018. �Ϸ��վ agreed on the conclusion of a partnership agreement between the EU and Armenia and approved the reform of the electoral law of the EU. Three reports on the social and market aspects of the first mobility package were rejected and sent back to the Transport and Tourism Committee.

Källa : © Europeiska unionen, 2018 - EP

Kort sammanfattning - Reform of the electoral law of the EU - 27-06-2018

Wed, 27 Jun 2018 07:08:58 GMT

�Ϸ��վ is expected to give its consent during its July session to a draft Council decision amending the Electoral Act of 1976 laying down common rules governing elections to the European �Ϸ��վ. Among other things, the new rules will put in place a minimum threshold, of between 2 % and 5 %, for constituencies comprising more than 35 seats.

Källa : © Europeiska unionen, 2018 - EP

Faktablad om EU - Europaparlamentet: valsystem - 01-10-2017

Tue, 23 May 2017 08:26:16 GMT

Valet till Europaparlamentet regleras både av EU:s lagstiftning, som fastställer gemensamma bestämmelser för alla medlemsstater, och av särskilda nationella bestämmelser som varierar från en medlemsstat till en annan. I de gemensamma bestämmelserna fastställs principen om proportionella val samt de uppdrag som inte är förenliga med ett mandat som ledamot av Europaparlamentet. Många andra viktiga frågor, såsom valsystem eller antalet valkretsar, regleras i de nationella lagarna.

Källa : © Europeiska unionen, 2017 - EP

Briefing - Understanding US Presidential elections - 15-04-2016

Thu, 14 Apr 2016 22:00:00 GMT

In July 2016, the two major US parties will nominate their respective official candidate for the 58th US presidential election which takes place in November. With less than three months before the national conventions, and a large number of delegates already allocated, on the Democratic side, Hillary Clinton is running ahead of Bernie Sanders towards the nomination. On the Republican side there is still much uncertainty about who will finally be named official candidate. The President is head of state, head of government, and Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces. Thus, presidential elections are an important part of American political life. Although millions of American citizens vote in presidential elections every four years, the President is not, in fact, directly elected by the people. Citizens elect the members of the Electoral College, who then cast their votes for the President and Vice President. While key elements of the presidential election are spelled out in the US Constitution, other aspects have been shaped by state laws, national party rules and state party rules. This explains why presidential campaigns have evolved over time, from the days when presidential candidates were nominated in the House of Representatives by the 'King caucus', to an almost exclusively political party-dominated convention system, and finally to the modern system of nominations based on primaries, introduced progressively to increase democratic participation. A number of additional developments have also played an important role in shaping today's presidential elections, notably political party efforts to limit 'frontloading'; the organisation of the Electoral College system and the changes to the campaign financing system.

Källa : © Europeiska unionen, 2016 - EP

Kort sammanfattning - Kyrgyzstan: Closer to democracy - and Russia - 28-10-2015

Wed, 28 Oct 2015 16:23:00 GMT

Praised by both Russian and European observers, the elections of 4 October 2015 are considered a milestone in Kyrgyzstan's democratic transition of the country, consolidating the new political system launched by the new constitution adopted after the 2010 revolution. With seats split between six pro-Moscow parties, the results entail the formation of a coalition government in the fractured parliament, and herald further rapprochement to Russia.

Källa : © Europeiska unionen, 2015 - EP

Kort sammanfattning - Reform of European electoral law - 20-10-2015

Mon, 19 Oct 2015 22:00:00 GMT

Elections to the European �Ϸ��վ are not conducted according to a uniform, EU-wide electoral procedure. Rather, EU law sets only some basic principles, with national electoral laws applying for the rest. �Ϸ��վ has repeatedly sought to bring about further harmonisation of the rules governing European parliamentary elections, but the diverging constitutional and electoral traditions of the Member States, as well as the importance of electoral rules for the design of political systems, have so far rendered an agreement difficult.

Källa : © Europeiska unionen, 2015 - EP

Studie - Electoral Rules and Electoral Participation in the European Elections: The Ballot Format and Structure - 15-10-2015

Tue, 20 Oct 2015 22:00:00 GMT

This study aims to assess the feasibility of a harmonisation and “Europeanisation” of the ballots used in the 28 Member States for the election of the European �Ϸ��վ. This is done by comparing the actual structure of ballots used in all the Member States according to some key variables, by analysing which information can be currently provided on the ballots, by describing the provisions that regulate at national level all aspects relating to the format and appearance of the ballots, and by investigating the legal and political constraints that impact on amending such legislation. Finally, an assessment of whether the presence of Euro-specific information such as the name of the affiliated European party, its logo, and a reference to the lead candidate for the European Commission could enhance the European and transnational character of the European elections.

Källa : © Europeiska unionen, 2015 - EP

Djupanalys - The Reform of the Electoral Law of the European Union: European Added Value Assessment accompanying the legislative own-initiative Report (Co-Rapporteurs Danuta Hübner and Jo Leinen) - 25-09-2015

Fri, 25 Sep 2015 12:17:00 GMT

The legislative initiative report on the "Reform of the Electoral Law of the European Union", drawn-up by the Committee on Constitutional Affairs calls for amendment of the Act concerning the election of Members of the European �Ϸ��վ by direct universal suffrage. In this report, the Co-Rapporteurs Danuta Hübner and Jo Leinen propose a number of measures with the aim of enhancing the democratic nature of the European elections; reinforcing the legal status of citizenship of the Union; improving the functioning of the European �Ϸ��վ and the governance of the Union; strengthening the legitimacy and efficiency of the European �Ϸ��վ; enhancing the effectiveness of the system for conducting European elections and providing for greater electoral equality for the citizens of the Union.The arguments in support of the proposals of the European �Ϸ��վ are set out in detail in this European Added Value Assessment.

Källa : © Europeiska unionen, 2015 - EP

Kort sammanfattning - Political parties in Tajikistan - 07-07-2015

Mon, 06 Jul 2015 22:00:00 GMT

Tajikistan's parliamentary elections of 1 March 2015 have brought the country one step closer to an authoritarian regime. Criticised by observers as flawed and unfair, these elections helped oust the only real opposition party from parliament and reconfigured the distribution of seats in a way that reaffirmed the president's dominance over the political system. The assassination of an opposition leader on 5 March 2015 has deepened concerns that opponents will face increased repression.

Källa : © Europeiska unionen, 2015 - EP

Kort sammanfattning - Political parties in Uzbekistan - 07-07-2015

Tue, 07 Jul 2015 12:13:00 GMT

Uzbekistan has a presidential system of government. The president, Islam Karimov, has played a principal role in all areas of the political landscape since independence in 1991. Although some recent steps empower the legislature against the executive, all political parties represented in parliament are pro-regime and far from providing political alternatives.

Källa : © Europeiska unionen, 2015 - EP

Djupanalys - Disenfranchisement of EU citizens resident abroad: Situation in national and European elections in EU Member States - 30-06-2015

Mon, 29 Jun 2015 22:00:00 GMT

The right to vote is a fundamental one and of utmost importance for the democratic legitimacy of any public power. Six EU Member States deprive their nationals permanently resident abroad of the right to vote in national parliamentary elections. They also deprive such citizens residing in a third country of the vote in European elections, and two of them even when their nationals live in another EU Member State. Citizens disenfranchised in their country of origin often face exclusion from political life at national level in both their country of origin and of residence. In the case of citizens living in another EU Member State, the disenfranchisement rules could even amount to an infringement of their freedom of movement and residence under EU law. Solutions discussed include a Treaty change to allow EU citizens to vote in national parliamentary elections in their host Member State or to be able to choose between voting there or in their Member State of nationality. A more realistic solution envisages the abolition of disenfranchisement rules in those six Member States concerned, although such calls from EU institutions have found very limited favour in the six concerned. This in-depth-analysis updates an earlier one of December 2014.

Källa : © Europeiska unionen, 2015 - EP

Kort sammanfattning - Bosnia and Herzegovina: The 'Sejdić-Finci' case - 12-06-2015

Thu, 11 Jun 2015 22:00:00 GMT

Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) was identified as a potential candidate for EU membership in 2003. In order to join the EU, BiH has to meet the EU's human-rights criteria, among others. To this end, the execution of the Sejdić-Finci judgment of the European Court of Human Rights is a key prerequisite as it promotes equal political rights for all BiH citizens. Its implementation would not mean automatic accession to the EU, but would be a significant step in that direction. Since the judgment's delivery in 2009, however, little has been done to address this complex issue.

Källa : © Europeiska unionen, 2015 - EP

Kort sammanfattning - Kazakhstan: political situation - 17-04-2015

Fri, 17 Apr 2015 08:55:00 GMT

The Republic of Kazakhstan has a presidential form of government characterised by a monopoly of the executive branch and limited parliamentary power. Since independence in 1991, progress in Kazakhstan in terms of democratisation, human rights and the rule of law have not matched its economic development. As Kazakhstan approaches another snap presidential election on 26 April 2015, uncertainty about the political situation in the country continues.

Källa : © Europeiska unionen, 2015 - EP