This month, the European Parliament voted to start the legislative process to amend rules for voting in direct elections to the European Parliament.<\/p>\n
Under the proposed rules, MEPs who are in late pregnancy or on maternity leave would be able to delegate their vote to another MEP. This would apply for up to three months before the expected birth and six months after childbirth.<\/p>\n
The proposal emphasizes that balancing professional and private life \u201cshould support gender equality by allowing mothers to fully participate in political life.\u201d<\/p>\n
It also notes that proxy voting \u201cwill allow MEPs, during periods directly before and after childbirth, to fully exercise their mandate.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThis reform aims to strengthen maternity provisions, letting MEPs carry out their duties while maintaining a balance between health, family responsibilities, and parliamentary work,\u201d the statement adds.<\/p>\n
The legislative proposal, drafted by the Committee on Constitutional Affairs, was approved last week with support from all political groups. The accompanying resolution passed with 605 votes in favor, 30 against, and 5 abstentions.<\/p>\n
Juan Fernando L\u00f3pez Aguilar, MEP for the Spanish Socialist Workers\u2019 Party (PSOE) and the rapporteur, commented<\/a>: Even the far-right largely agreed on the need to allow proxy voting for MEPs on maternity leave.<\/p>\n “MEPs have a democratic duty to represent their voters. The aim of this amendment is simple: to ensure that they can continue to perform their mandate, even during pregnancy,” said Marieke Ehlers, MEP for the Dutch Party for Freedom (PVV).<\/p>\n The reform introduces \u201ca temporary, clearly defined proxy voting system,\u201d noted Tobiasz Boche\u0144ski, offering a practical solution that respects the realities of motherhood while maintaining institutional integrity.<\/p>\n PiS MEPs praised the measure as a \u201creasonable modernization of the law, improving working conditions and work-life balance for parliamentarians while respecting national traditions and EU principles. It also promotes equal opportunities for women in politics practically, without unnecessary complications.\u201d<\/p>\n The only political group openly opposed was the Europe of Sovereign Nations. German AfD MEP Irmhild Bo\u00dfdorf argued: For the amendment to take effect, it must be unanimously approved by the European Council (heads of EU states and governments) and then ratified by national parliaments in all 27 EU countries.<\/p>\n
“We finally have the chance to allow pregnant MEPs to exercise their parliamentary voting rights before and after childbirth. This is the right step in the right direction.”<\/p>\nBroad support, few opponents<\/h3>\n
“Pregnancy is not a disease. Pregnant women, including MEPs, are fully capable of exercising their democratic rights until delivery and beyond. Any decision about when and where to return to work is entirely theirs.”<\/p>\nNext steps<\/h3>\n
Setting an example for national parliaments<\/h3>\n