The proposal, seeks to introduce a clearly defined exception to the current rule that all votes in Parliament’s plenary sessions must be cast personally. This would allow Members who are temporarily unable to attend plenary sessions due to upcoming or recent childbirth, to exercise their citizen-given mandates in full. The legislative initiative report was adopted by 28 votes in favour, one against and without abstentions, while the accompanying resolution received 26 votes in favour and four against, without abstentions.

Under the proposed targeted revision to the EU Electoral Act, a member who is pregnant or has given birth would be able to delegate their plenary voting rights to another MEP for a maximum of three months before the estimated date of birth and six months after.

This voluntary arrangement is designed to reconcile the principle of personal voting with the need for inclusion and equality in political representation. MEPs also want to set an example for national…