EU electoral law: new rules adopted by the Council

The Council today adopted new rules on elections to the European Parliament.

This adoption follows the consent given by the European Parliament on 4 July 2018. For the rules to enter into force, approval by all EU member states, in line with their respective constitutional requirements, is also required.

The amendments to the 1976 Electoral Act include new provisions on ‘double voting’, voting in third countries, different voting methods, and the visibility of European political parties in the member states.

An obligatory threshold of 2% to 5% is set for constituencies with more than 35 seats, including in single-constituency member states. Member states will have to comply with this obligation at the latest in time for the EP elections in 2024.