Proxy voting in plenary for Members during pregnancy and after giving birth

The European Parliament adopted by 605 votes to 30, with 5 abstentions, a legislative resolution of the European Parliament on the amendment of the European Electoral act, allowing Members to vote in plenary by proxy voting during pregnancy and after giving birth.

Parliament decided to strengthen maternity rules for female Members of the European Parliament who wish to continue to perform their parliamentary duties.

Members proposed a targeted revision of the European Electoral Act enabling Members to delegate their plenary vote to another Member of their choice during pregnancy and after giving birth.

The proposed decision adopted by Parliament and submitted to the Council stipulates that a Member who is pregnant or who has given birth may have her vote cast by another Member acting as proxy for a maximum period of three months before the estimated date of birth of the child and for a maximum period of six months after the birth.

Members believe that this reform will allow Members, in the periods immediately before and after becoming mothers, to fully exercise their mandates, improving institutional fairness and inclusion in the European Parliament.