Reform of the European Electoral Act: towards Union-wide standards and constituency
Last year, the European Parliament voted on the European Electoral Act reform. The question is: can it be finalised in time for 2024?
Will European voters be able to vote for a Union-wide list in the next elections?
That’s what the European Parliament’s Committee on Constitutional Affairs (AFCO) wants to achieve before the end of this term. In February last year, the Committee backed an initiative to replace the 1976 EU Electoral code. Later in May, the European Parliament agreed to move forward with the proposal.
Let’s consider the main points of the reform, where it stands at the moment, and what it will change for you, European electors.
The main points of the reform
The first significant change to the electoral code is the creation of a Europe-wide constituency. Each elector will have, in addition to the traditional national ballot, the opportunity to vote for a 28-names list from a non-national constituency.
The competing lists will be set up by the coalitions of national parties and/or associations of voters. What we can already expect is that the European political groups (EPP, S&D, Renew Europe, etc.) will each propose a list made of politicians from their national divisions.
The lists will have to ensure a geographical balance, so that smaller states are represented, and will have to ensure gender balance (through zipped lists, i.e. alternating genders).
Further elements of the report include a minimum threshold of 18 years old to stand as a candidate, the organisation of the votes in all member states on 9 May (Europe’s Day), as well as equal treatment and opportunities as national political parties when it comes to identifying the European coalitions.
Where are we at?
Now that the bill is out of the European Parliament, the Council has to discuss and ratify the initiative.
The Czech presidency of the EU, which ended in December 2022, was not too keen on tabling the matter to national ministers. The staring Swedish presidency will not deliver more, since the ruling coalition has the support of anti-European Democrats of Sweden party.
That leaves only the Spanish presidency to put forward a discussion on the text, with less than a year to debate it before the 2024 European elections.
Even among the supporters of the file, there are severe doubts that the matter will be adopted before the elections, and the Union-wide constituency will have to wait another five years—or so it seems.