Parliament Backs Maternity Proxy Votes

The European Parliament has backed changes allowing members to delegate their plenary voting rights before and after childbirth. The proposal was approved by 578 votes to 25, with four abstentions.

Under the proposed rules, a member could voluntarily delegate their vote from three months before an expected birth until six months after childbirth. The arrangement could be withdrawn, and each member would be allowed to exercise no more than one delegated vote at a time.

The framework includes transparency safeguards. The names of both the member delegating the vote and the member exercising it would appear in sitting minutes and published voting records. Delegated votes would also count toward quorums, voting thresholds and majorities.

The changes still require an opinion from the European Commission and the consent of the Council before Parliament can hold a final vote. They would take effect after all EU member states ratify amendments to the European Electoral Act. The initiative was launched by Parliament President Roberta Metsola in 2025 to reduce barriers to political participation during pregnancy and early motherhood.