Activities of François ALFONSI related to 2021/0373(CNS)
Shadow opinions (1)
OPINION on the Proposal for a Council Directive laying down detailed arrangements for the exercise of the right to vote and to stand as a candidate in municipal elections by Union citizens residing in a Member State of which they are not nationals (recast)
Amendments (25)
Amendment 22 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 5
Recital 5
(5) The electoral procedure related to municipal elections falls within the competences of the Member States that organise them reflecting their specific traditions and in accordance with international and European standards. In line with International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights as well as the law of the European Convention on Human Rights, Member States should not only recognise and respect the right of Union citizens to vote and to stand as a candidate but also ensure easyfull access to information and to their electoral rights by removing as manyll obstacles to their participation in elections as possible.
Amendment 25 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 7
Recital 7
Amendment 30 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 8
Recital 8
(8) In order to facilitate the exercise by Union citizens of their right to vote and to stand as a candidate in their country of residence, such citizens should be entered on the electoral roll in sufficient time in advance of polling day. They should have the possibility for automatic registration on the electoral roll, if they wish so, when they register as new residents with the competent authority. The formalities applicable to their registration should be as simple as possible. It should be sufficient for the Union citizens concerned to produce a valid identity card and in duly justified cases a formal declaration that include elements evidencing their entitlement to participate in the elections. Once registered, non- national Union citizens should remain on the electoral roll under the same conditions as Union citizens who are nationals of the Member State concerned, for as long as they satisfy the conditions for exercising the right to vote. Additionally, Union citizens should provide the competent authorities with contact information, enabling those authorities to keep them informed on a regular basis.
Amendment 36 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 15 a (new)
Recital 15 a (new)
(15 a) Non-national Union citizens should have access to information about their electoral rights and procedures upon their arrival in the Member State, periodically and sufficiently in advance of the municipal election, in their mother tongue or preferred language.
Amendment 39 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 16
Recital 16
(16) The lack of adequate information, in the context of electoral procedures, affects citizens in the exercise of their electoral rights as part of their rights as Union citizens. It also affects the capacity of competent authorities to exercise their rights and to deliver on their obligations. Member States should be required to designate authorities with special responsibilities for providing appropriate information to Union citizens on their rights under Article 20(2), point (b), and Article 22(1) TFEU and the national rules and procedures regarding participation in and the organization of municipal elections. In order to ensure the effectiveness of communications, information should be provided in clear and comprehensible terms, in due time and on a regular basis.
Amendment 40 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 16 a (new)
Recital 16 a (new)
(16 a) Cooperation and coordination should be strengthened and improved between national and local authorities in the Member State with regard to the registration of non-national Union citizens and to providing them with information on their electoral rights and procedures.
Amendment 41 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 17
Recital 17
(17) In order to improve the accessibility of electoral information, such information should be made available in at least one other official language of the Union than that or those of the host Member State, broadly understood by the largest possible number of Union citizens residing on its territory. Member States should be encouraged to provide information also in the native or the preferred language of the non-national Union citizen, indicated at the time of their registration. Member States may use different official languages of the Union in specific parts of their territory or their regions depending on the language understood by the largest group of Union citizens residing therein.
Amendment 43 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 17 a (new)
Recital 17 a (new)
(17 a) When necessary, the European Commission should provide support to Member States for the translation of registration and electoral procedures into the official and non-official languages of the European Union.
Amendment 46 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 23
Recital 23
(23) Data regarding the exercise of rights and the application of this Directive can be useful in the identification of measures necessary to ensure the effective exercise of Union citizens’ electoral rights. In order to improve the collection and communication of data for municipal elections, it is necessary to introduce regular and harmonised monitoring and reporting of implementation by Member States, which should include, besides statistical data, information on the measures taken to support participation in elections of non- national Union citizens. The Commission should assess the application of the Directive , including any changes in the electorate that have taken place since its entry into force and submit a report in this connection to the European Parliament and to the Council.
Amendment 48 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 26
Recital 26
(26) The Member States, by ratifying, and the Union, by concluding25 , have committed themselves to ensure compliance with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities including on Article 29 on Participation in political and public life. In order to support inclusive and equal electoral participation for personsIn order to increase inclusiveness and equal electoral participation for marginalized and vulnerable persons, especially people with disabilities, arrangements for Union citizens residing in a Member State of which they are not nationals to exercise the right to vote and to stand as a candidate therin that Member State in municipal elections should have due regard tof the needs of these citizens with a disability and older citizens. The Member States, by ratifying, and the Union, by concluding25 , have committed themselves to ensure compliance with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities including on Article 29 on Participation in political and public life. _________________ 25 Council Decision 2010/48/EC of 26 November 2009 concerning the conclusion, by the European Community, of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (OJ L 23, 27.1.2010, p. 35).
Amendment 51 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 7 – paragraph 3
Article 7 – paragraph 3
3. Both Member States where voting is compulsory and Member States where voting is not compulsory may provide for the automatic registration of voters pursuant to Article 3 on the electoral roll, based on a free choice of the non-national Union citizen.
Amendment 54 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 8 – paragraph 1
Article 8 – paragraph 1
1. Member States shall take the necessary measures to enable a voter pursuant to Article 3 to be entered on the electoral roll sufficiently in advance of polling day. Member States shall propose automatic registration on the electoral roll when a non-national Union citizen registers as new resident with the competent authority, based on a free choice.
Amendment 55 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 8 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 8 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. The Member State shall provide voters with easy and clear access to information about municipal elections (their voting and eligibility rights, the registration procedure, the electoral calendar, the nature of the political system and traditions) in their mother tongue, preferred language or in the language(s) spoken in the region. This language will be predefined at the time of registration on the electoral rolls.
Amendment 58 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 10 – paragraph 1
Article 10 – paragraph 1
Member States that provide for the possibility for nationals to vote by means of advance voting, postal voting, and electronic and internet voting in municipal elections shall ensure that such means of voting are also available under the same conditions to voters pursuant to Article 3. These voters shall also have the possibility of choosing or changing the means of voting under the same conditions as the nationals of the Member State of residence.
Amendment 60 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 11 – paragraph 1
Article 11 – paragraph 1
1. The Member State of residence shall inform the concerned persons in gooddue time and in clear and plain language, in their mother tongue or preferred language, of the decision taken on their application for entry on the electoral roll or of the decision concerning the admissibility of their application to stand as a candidate.
Amendment 62 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 11 – paragraph 2
Article 11 – paragraph 2
2. Should Union citizens not be entered on the electoral roll or have their application form entry refused or have their application to stand as a candidate rejected, the person concerned shall be entitled to legal remedies on similar terms as the laws of the Member State of residence prescribe for voters and persons entitled to stand as candidates who are its nationals. The persons concerned shall be informed in their mother tongue or preferred language.
Amendment 63 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 12 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 12 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. The national authorities of the Member States of residence shall develop and increase awareness-raising and information campaigns concerning the right to vote and to stand as a candidate in municipal elections for non-national Union citizens. In order to provide non- national Union citizens with sufficient and accessible information, national authorities should seek the support of civil society organisations and use a wide range of channels, including the provision of information via the workplace and educational organisations.
Amendment 64 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 12 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
Article 12 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
2. The Member States shall ensure that the designated authority pursuant to paragraph 1, shall directly and individually communicate to voters and persons entitled to stand as candidates pursuant to Article 3, the following information:, periodically and sufficiently in advance of the municipal election
Amendment 66 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 12 – paragraph 2 – point c a (new)
Article 12 – paragraph 2 – point c a (new)
(c a) The competent designated authority shall inform the persons entitled to vote and to stand for election in accordance with Article 3 about the political system and traditions of the Member State.
Amendment 72 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 12 – paragraph 4
Article 12 – paragraph 4
4. Member States shall ensure that information on conditions and detailed rules for registration as a voter or candidate in municipal elections and information referred to in paragraph 2 is made accessible to marginalised groups, such as persons with disabilities and older persons by using appropriate means, modes and formats of communication. applying the accessibility requirements laid down in Annex I of Directive (EU) 2019/8821a and by using appropriate means, modes and formats of communication, such as Braille, large print, audio-based information, tactile stencils, easy to read information and sign language. _________________ 1a Directive (EU) 2019/882 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 April 2019 on the accessibility requirements for products and services (OJ L 151, 7.6.2019, p. 70).
Amendment 73 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 13 – paragraph 1
Article 13 – paragraph 1
Amendment 74 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 13 – paragraph 2
Article 13 – paragraph 2
Amendment 75 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 13 – paragraph 4
Article 13 – paragraph 4
Amendment 78 #
Proposal for a directive
Annex II – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 (new)
Annex II – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 (new)
Indicate language preferences in which you want to receive information related to the elections: ………………...
Amendment 79 #
Proposal for a directive
Annex III – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 (new)
Annex III – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 (new)
Indicate language preferences in which you want to receive information related to the elections: ……………………………..