European Parliament approved a change to the EU Electoral Act allowing female MEPs to delegate their voting rights during maternity leave. The vote, held in plenary on 29 April 2026, passed 616 votes for, 24 against and 8 abstentions. The amendment permits delegation for up to three months before a due date and six months after giving birth, replacing the current rule that requires in‑person voting. The reform follows a Council amendment in March 2026 that added requirements for transparency, accountability and vote integrity. President Roberta Metsola and rapporteur Juan Fernando López Aguilar welcomed the decision as a step toward gender equality and better work‑life balance for elected representatives. The revised act must now be formally adopted by the Council and ratified by all member states.
© European Union, 2023 – Source: European Parliament.
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