On November 13 in Brussels, a significant reform was proposed concerning the voting rights of female Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) during maternity. The reform allows MEPs who are pregnant or have recently given birth to vote by proxy in plenary sessions. This change aims to align electoral regulations with contemporary health and care realities, introducing a formal mechanism that enables mothers to fulfill their parliamentary duties without compromising their maternity leave.
This groundbreaking amendment to the EU’s electoral legislation provides a temporary option for voting by proxy. It accommodates MEPs during the crucial period extending up to three months before the expected delivery date and up to six months following childbirth. The text was crafted by the European Parliament’s Committee on Constitutional Affairs (AFCO) and received widespread approval in an open vote, securing the backing of 605 members, while 30 voted against and 5 abstained.
The primary objective of this reform is to strengthen maternity rights and empower female MEPs to fully engage in their roles while balancing familial responsibilities. This initiative forms part of a broader commitment by the European Parliament to promote gender equality, inclusivity, and a healthy work-life balance. By facilitating voting during maternity, the Parliament aims to enhance representation and ensure that the voices of constituents are heard.
Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, who initiated this revision process, expressed her pride in the work accomplished through this proposal. She emphasized the urgency of modernizing voting rules, stating, „As a politician and a woman, I hope member states will agree with us that updating these voting regulations is long overdue. No woman should ever have to choose between serving her constituents and having children.” Metsola’s comments highlight the crucial need for policies that accommodate the realities women face in political roles.
Juan Fernando López Aguilar, the rapporteur for this proposal and a member of the Socialists and Democrats group from Spain, echoed this sentiment. He underscored the idea that „no elected representative should ever have to choose between exercising their vote and caring for their child.” By implementing proxy voting for MEPs during maternity, the reform reinforces democratic representation and guarantees that the opinions of voters continue to echo in Parliament both before and after childbirth.
Currently, only three EU member states—Spain, Greece, and Luxembourg—formally permit absentee voting for maternity-related reasons. This disparity makes the proposed change at the European level particularly significant, as it aims to set a standard across member states.
The timing of this reform reflects a growing recognition of the importance of gender equality and the necessity of adapting political structures to better accommodate the needs of women in leadership roles. By addressing the challenges faced by MEPs during maternity, the European Parliament paves the way for a more inclusive political environment.
As the legislation advances, there is hope that this initiative will inspire similar changes across various levels of government and lead to broader reforms that support working mothers in political spheres. The proposed proxy voting system is a step toward ensuring that women can fulfill both personal and professional aspirations without compromise.