Local elections, easier access to voting and candidacy
Updated directive allowing EU citizens residing in a member state - of which they are not nationals - to be active in politics
A strengthening of the right to vote and to stand as a candidate within the European Union, so as to facilitate the participation of European citizens in active political life. The Council of the EU adopted today, 26 May, an updated directive aimed at strengthening the right to vote and to stand as a candidate in local elections for EU citizens residing in a member state of which they are not nationals (so-called mobile citizens of the EU).
More democratic participation
The main objective of the revision of the directive is to facilitate citizens' access to information and to update the outdated provisions of the previous legislation, dating back to 1994. In particular, a number of procedures will be put in place such as:
- proactive provision of information to citizens interested in their electoral rights and registration conditions, including translations into the most widely spoken EU languages
- simplification of requirements for registration to make procedures more accessible and uniform in all member states;
- guarantees to prevent citizens from being automatically removed from the electoral roll of their home country when they register abroad
Despite the measures currently in place, European citizens who move frequently still encounter difficulties in exercising their electoral rights in municipal elections. "Freedom of movement must go hand in hand with the full and equal possibility to participate in democratic life. By making it easier to vote and stand for election in local elections, we strengthen participation, consolidate trust in our democratic institutions and give the 13.5 million citizens of the EU living in another Member State the possibility to fully exercise their democratic rights," comments Deputy Minister for European Affairs, Marilena Raouna.
The legislative process
The updated directive will be published in the Official Journal of the EU and will enter into force 20 days after publication. Member States will have two years from the entry into force of the directive to transpose most of its provisions into their national legislation.
