Press Release: European elections: citizens will be able to stand as candidates in another EU country more easily

It will now be easier for EU citizens living in another Member State to stand as candidates in the 2014 European Parliament elections, following a vote on a European Commission proposal in the European Parliament. Members of the European Parliament voted in their plenary session with an overwhelming majority (618 votes in favour, 23 votes against and 14 abstentions) to approve the proposal.

The draft law aims to simplify the procedure for non-national EU citizens to stand as candidates for the European Parliament by amending the existing rules. It is one the Commission’s initiatives to promote and facilitate participation in the European elections. Following agreement by the European Parliament, the proposal is now expected to be adopted by the Council before the end of 2012.

• Primary Source

European Commission: MEMO/12/1020: Citizens will be able to stand as candidates in another EU country more easily under new EU rules http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-12-1020_en.htm

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