Enhancing regulations for voting in European elections outside of the EU
The European Council has adopted a revised directive to make it easier for EU citizens residing in a member state of which they are not nationals to vote and stand as candidates in European Parliament elections. This move is part of the Council's efforts to strengthen citizens' electoral rights and prevent issues that have led to unintentional disenfranchisement in the past.
The new Council directive, published in the EU's Official Journal, aims to facilitate the supply of information to citizens during voting in European elections. It includes safeguards to prevent citizens from being automatically removed from the electoral rolls of their country of origin when they register abroad.
The directive also aims to facilitate the exchange of relevant information among member states, ensuring a smooth and transparent process for mobile EU citizens. To make the registration process more accessible and understandable, standardized registration templates will be used.
Informative translations in widely understood EU languages will be provided to ensure that all concerned citizens have access to clear and accurate information about their electoral rights and registration conditions. The new rules are intended to make voting easy and accessible for all mobile EU citizens.
The directive provides measures to support the integrity of elections for mobile EU citizens, including provisions to prevent double voting or undue candidacy. It also aims to prevent double or undue voting due to a criminal conviction.
The new rules are a response to concerns about low participation in European elections among the estimated 14 million mobile EU citizens. A recent report indicated that only a small number of this group currently participates in these elections.
The new directive, adopted on 24 June 2025, gives member states two years after its entry into force to transpose most of its provisions in their national legislation, until June 2027. The law regarding the legal status of EU citizens in elections to the European Parliament is adopted by the European Parliament itself as the legislative institution representing EU citizens.
The directive does not include provisions for automatic removal of citizens from the electoral rolls of their country of origin when they register abroad. Instead, it ensures that citizens' electoral rights are strengthened and protected, making it easier for them to exercise their democratic responsibility in European elections.
Read also:
- Tobacco industry's suggested changes on a legislative modification are disregarded by health journalists
- Uncovering Political Ad Transparency: A Guide to Investigating opponent's Political Advertisements in the Digital Realm
- Elon Musk praises JD Vance's debate performance against Tim Walz
- Right-wing Israeli minister supports controversial plan for West Bank settlement expansion
