Activities of Domènec RUIZ DEVESA related to 2020/2220(INL)
Plenary speeches (2)
Election of the Members of the European Parliament by direct universal suffrage (debate)
Election of the Members of the European Parliament by direct universal suffrage (debate)
Reports (1)
REPORT on the proposal for a Council Regulation on the election of the members of the European Parliament by direct universal suffrage, repealing Council Decision (76/787/ECSC, EEC, Euratom) and the Act concerning the election of the members of the European Parliament by direct universal suffrage annexed to that decision
Amendments (35)
Amendment 4 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 11 a (new)
Citation 11 a (new)
— having regard to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, ratified by the EU in 2010, and by all Member States, and Article 29 thereof on participation in political and public life,
Amendment 5 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 11 b (new)
Citation 11 b (new)
— having regard to Commission Communication (2021)101 of 3 March 2021 entitled "Union of Equality: Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021-2030",
Amendment 91 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital V
Recital V
V. whereas any barriers to the right to vote and stand as candidate for persons with disabilities, especially legal barriers for adults with intellectual disabilities declared legally incapacitated, should be removed, guaranteeing physical and sensory accessibility in polling stations as well asaccessibility throughout the elections process should be ensured including by providing alternative participation systems to exercise the right to vote, in particular through postal voting such as postal voting and appropriate voting arrangements for persons with disabilities to facilitate the exercise of their voting rights on an equal basis with others;
Amendment 126 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Observes that diverging electoral cultures have resulted in a range of different electoral systems and different voting rights across the EU; considers therefore that common minimum standards are needed, in order to ensure approximation towards a unified European electoral law and equality of the vote for citizens of the Union, including as regards: the right to vote, the right to register a party and to stand for elections; access to ballots; the fielding of candidates; accessibility of voting for all citizens, especially for persons with disabilities; or what happens on the day of the elections;
Amendment 218 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17a. Considers that funding of European political parties from the general budget of the European Union or from any other source may be used to finance campaigns conducted by the European electoral entities in the context of elections to the European Parliament in which they or their members participate; considers that funding and possible limitation of election expenses for all political parties, candidates and third parties in the national constituencies, in addition to their participation in elections to the European Parliament, should be governed in each Member State by its national provisions;
Amendment 246 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23a. Calls on Member States to grant the right to vote and stand as candidate to all persons with disabilities, regardless of their legal capacity; suggests to introduce measures to maximise accessibility of the elections for citizens with disabilities covering, among others and where appropriate, voting information and registration, polling stations, voting booths and devices, electronic means of voting, and ballot papers; recommends Member States to implement appropriate arrangements tailored to their national voting procedures to facilitate the vote of citizens with disabilities such as the possibility to choose polling station, early voting, mobile ballot boxes, closed polling stations in key locations, and the use of assistive technologies; calls on Member States to allow persons with disabilities assistance in voting through a person of their own choice, where necessary and at their request;
Amendment 288 #
Motion for a resolution
Annex to the motion for a resolution – Recital 6
Annex to the motion for a resolution – Recital 6
(6) European political parties and movements have a key role to play in fostering a truly European political debate. According to Article 10(4) of the TEU, political parties at European level contribute to forming European political awareness and to expressing the will of citizens of the Union. European political parties and movements should therefore effectively play a more central role in the European elections’ process, including by giving them the possibility of fully participating in European election campaigns, and of tabling pan- European lists in the Union-wide constituency, so that they become known by and more visible to electors, both on ballot papers and in campaign materials and publications.
Amendment 294 #
Motion for a resolution
Annex to the motion for a resolution – Recital 7
Annex to the motion for a resolution – Recital 7
(7) In the European democracy action 6 6 plan , the Commission has committed to promoting access to democratic participation, which entails inclusiveness and equality in democratic participation, as well as gender balance in politics and decision-making. In its 2020-2025 gender equality strategy7 , the Commission stated that equal opportunity in participation is essential for representative democracy at all levels. Gender equality and democratic, informed and transparent procedures for the selection of candidates to the European Parliament elections, including the lead candidate, are key horizontal elements for reinforcing representativeness and democracy. For reasons of equality, those principles should apply to all lists of candidates of the elections to the European Parliament in the national constituencies and in the Union-wide constituency. __________________ 6 Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on the European democracy action plan (COM(2020)0790). 7 Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions “A Union of Equality: Gender Equality Strategy 2020-2025” (COM(2020)0152).
Amendment 307 #
Motion for a resolution
Annex to the motion for a resolution – Recital 9
Annex to the motion for a resolution – Recital 9
(9) A European Electoral Authority should be established for the management of the Union-wide constituency. Such a European Electoral Authority would be essential for coordinating information on the European elections and monitoring the implementation of the common standards of the European electoral law, by ensuring an efficient exchange of information and best practices between national bodies. In addition.
Amendment 308 #
Motion for a resolution
Annex to the motion for a resolution – Recital 9 a (new)
Annex to the motion for a resolution – Recital 9 a (new)
(9a) The Union-wide constituency electoral campaign should be duly financed to ensure that the European electoral entities have the sufficient funds to convey their messages and their political programmes to the EU citizens.
Amendment 315 #
Motion for a resolution
Annex to the motion for a resolution – Recital 10
Annex to the motion for a resolution – Recital 10
(10) In order to encourage voter participation in elections to the European Parliament, Member States should provide for advance and postal voting. To fully take advantage of the possibilities offered by technological developments, Member States could also permit electronic and internet voting, while ensuring the reliability of the result, the secrecy of the vote, the accessibility for persons with disabilities and the protection of personal data, in accordance with applicable Union law.
Amendment 323 #
Motion for a resolution
Annex to the motion for a resolution – Recital 12
Annex to the motion for a resolution – Recital 12
(12) The minimum age for the exercise of active passive voting rights varies across the 27 Member States. A single harmonised age for active and passive voting should be introduced across the Union in order to ensure equality and to avoid discrimination in the most fundamental civic and political right - the right to vote. All the persons with disabilities regardless of their legal capacity, should enjoy political rights on an equal basis with others.
Amendment 326 #
Motion for a resolution
Annex to the motion for a resolution – Recital 12 a (new)
Annex to the motion for a resolution – Recital 12 a (new)
(12a) The deadlines for finalising both the electoral lists and the electoral roll ahead of European elections vary greatly among Member States. In order to put candidates and voters across the Union in an equal position when it comes to the time available for campaigning or for reflection, and also to facilitate the exchange of information between Member States on voters, the deadlines for the establishment of the electoral roll and the lists for the European elections should be uniform.
Amendment 327 #
Motion for a resolution
Annex to the motion for a resolution – Recital 12 b (new)
Annex to the motion for a resolution – Recital 12 b (new)
(12b) Clear and transparent rules on campaigning should be provided for, so that European political parties and movements are able to use any forms of public communication and electoral campaigns material, as well as election official material such as ballot papers, giving those parties and movements sufficient visibility. Member States should also ensure that European political parties and movements are given equal treatment and opportunities regarding the electoral campaign related to the Union- wide constituency.
Amendment 341 #
Motion for a resolution
Annex to the motion for a resolution – Article 2 – point 2
Annex to the motion for a resolution – Article 2 – point 2
(2) ‘political movement’ means an association of citizens which pursues political objectives which, rather than being established as a political party, is registered as an association of votercitizens in accordance with applicable national provisions and which intends to form or joining a European coalition of national political parties and/or national political movements in order to table a list of candidates to, and campaigning for, the Union-wide constituency;
Amendment 349 #
Motion for a resolution
Annex to the motion for a resolution – Article 2 – point 3
Annex to the motion for a resolution – Article 2 – point 3
(3) ‘European coalition of national political parties and/or national political movements’ means an electoral alliance byof a number of national political parties and/or national political movements equal to one quarter of the Member States, where necessary rounded up to the nearest whole number, that tables a candidacy to, and campaigns for the Union-wide constituency;
Amendment 360 #
Motion for a resolution
Annex to the motion for a resolution – Article 2 – point 5
Annex to the motion for a resolution – Article 2 – point 5
(5) ‘European political movement’ means a transnational association of citizens presentgistered in at least a quarter of the Member States, representing at least a number equal to 0.01% of the voting population in the relevant Member States, which pursues political objectives, but is not established as a European political party, and is recognised for the purpose of tabling a candidacy to, and campaigning for, the Union-wide constituency;
Amendment 381 #
Motion for a resolution
Annex to the motion for a resolution – Article 2 – point 10
Annex to the motion for a resolution – Article 2 – point 10
(10) ´Funding from the Union budget´ means a grant awarded in accordance with Title VIII or a contribution awarded in accordance with Title XI of Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2018/1046 of the European Parliament and of the Council ('the Financial Regulation'). (To add the reference to the Regulation): "Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2018/1046 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 July 2018 on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union, amending Regulations (EU) No 1296/2013, (EU) No 1301/2013,(EU) No 1303/2013, (EU) No 1304/2013, (EU) No 1309/2013, (EU) No 1316/2013,(EU) No 223/2014, (EU) No 283/2014, and Decision No 541/2014/EU and repealing Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 (OJL 193, 30.7.2018, p. 1–222).
Amendment 384 #
Motion for a resolution
Annex to the motion for a resolution – Article 3 – first paragraph
Annex to the motion for a resolution – Article 3 – first paragraph
Amendment 385 #
Motion for a resolution
Annex to the motion for a resolution – Article 3 – second paragraph
Annex to the motion for a resolution – Article 3 – second paragraph
Those national provisions, which may, if appropriate, take account of the specific situation in each Member State, shall not affect the essentially proportional nature of the voting system.
Amendment 396 #
Motion for a resolution
Annex to the motion for a resolution – Article 4
Annex to the motion for a resolution – Article 4
Every European Union citizen from 18 years of age, and regardless of their legal capacity status, shall have the right to vote and to stand as a candidate for election to the European Parliament, in both the national and in the Union-wide constituency, without prejudice to those Member States that, at the date of the entry into force of this Regulation, have set the minimum age that is lower than 18 for eligibility to vote and for eligibility to stand as a candidate.
Amendment 400 #
Motion for a resolution
Annex to the motion for a resolution – Article 5
Annex to the motion for a resolution – Article 5
Member States shall ensure that all citizens of the Union, including those living or working in a third country and those who are homeless or who are serving a prison sentence in the EU, are entitled tohave and are able to exercise their right to vote in elections to the European Parliament, and, with regard to those citizens serving a prison sentence, without prejudice to national law or court decisions handed down in accordance with national law.
Amendment 421 #
Motion for a resolution
Annex to the motion for a resolution – Article 8 – paragraph 2
Annex to the motion for a resolution – Article 8 – paragraph 2
2. Member States may provide additional possibilities of voting by way of electronic and internet systems, without prejudice to the possibility of proxy voting as allowed by applicable national provisions at the time of the entry into force of this Regulation. In the event of electronic, internet, and proxy voting, Member States shall adopt all necessary measures to ensure the reliability and the secrecy of the vote, the accessibility for persons with disabilities and the protection of personal data in accordance with applicable Union law.
Amendment 450 #
Motion for a resolution
Annex to the motion for a resolution – Article 12 – paragraph 3
Annex to the motion for a resolution – Article 12 – paragraph 3
3. In each Member State, Members of the European Parliament shall be elected using the list system or the single transferable vote. Member States may authorise voting based on a preferential list system in accordance with the procedure that they decide to adoptnational constituencies using any formulas of the proportional system commonly used by the Member States.
Amendment 520 #
Motion for a resolution
Annex to the motion for a resolution – Article 15 – paragraph 17
Annex to the motion for a resolution – Article 15 – paragraph 17
17. The order of candidates from any of the Member States in each of the five groups of Member States included in Annex ·1 shall vary in each list section of five slots up to the list slot corresponding to the number resulting from dividing the total number of Member States by two, where necessary rounding up to the next whole number, as shown in Annex 3.
Amendment 525 #
Motion for a resolution
Annex to the motion for a resolution – Article 15 – paragraph 18
Annex to the motion for a resolution – Article 15 – paragraph 18
18. TFor the purpose of Annex 1, the total population of the Member States shall be calculated by the Commission (Eurostat) on the basis of the most recent data provided by the Member States, in accordance with a method established by means of Regulation (EU) No 1260/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council.
Amendment 532 #
Motion for a resolution
Annex to the motion for a resolution – Article 15 – paragraph 22 – introductory part
Annex to the motion for a resolution – Article 15 – paragraph 22 – introductory part
22. The allocation of seats based on the results of the scrutiny is carried out ·in accordance with the D'Hondt formula, which consists of the following rules:
Amendment 549 #
Motion for a resolution
Annex to the motion for a resolution – Article 16 – paragraph 1
Annex to the motion for a resolution – Article 16 – paragraph 1
1. Each European electoral entity pvermittified by the European Electoral Authority to table a list of candidates for members of the European Parliament in the Union-wide constituency shall appoint a general electoral administrator responsible for drawing up a general accounting plan for the income and expenses of the electoral campaign.
Amendment 556 #
Motion for a resolution
Annex to the motion for a resolution – Article 16 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1
Annex to the motion for a resolution – Article 16 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1
3. The general election administrator shall register a bank account at least 12 weeks prior to the Election day. That bank account shall be opened in a financial entity domiciled in the same cmunicipality in which the electoral entity has its headquarters.
Amendment 583 #
Motion for a resolution
Annex to the motion for a resolution – Article 16 – paragraph 11
Annex to the motion for a resolution – Article 16 – paragraph 11
11. Upon the findings of the European Court of Auditors, and where at least three infringements have been established, the European Electoral Authority mayshall prevent the European electoral entity concerned from tabling a list to the Union-wide constituency in the following elections to the European Parliament.
Amendment 588 #
Motion for a resolution
Annex to the motion for a resolution – Article 17 – paragraph 1
Annex to the motion for a resolution – Article 17 – paragraph 1
1. Electoral campaigning shall not start until eight weeks before Election day. Electoral campaigning comprises, in particular, the request of a vote for an election to the European Parliament by way of print or digital material and other formats of public communication, media advertising, and public events. Electoral campaign materials shall include a reference to the manifesto or programme of the European electoral entity, if any, to which the national party is affiliated.
Amendment 633 #
Motion for a resolution
Annex to the motion for a resolution – Article 25 – paragraph 2
Annex to the motion for a resolution – Article 25 – paragraph 2
2. Members of the European Parliament shall enjoy the privileges and immunities applicable to them by virtue of Protocol (No 7) on the privileges and immunities of the European Union, annexed to the Treaty on European Union, the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community, from the moment of the official declaration of their election to the European Parliament.
Amendment 680 #
Motion for a resolution
Annex to the motion for a resolution – Article 27 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 2
Annex to the motion for a resolution – Article 27 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 2
The members of the Authority shall be independent in the performance of their duties. They shall not be members of the European Parliament, hold any electoral mandate or be a current or former employee of any EU institution or of any European political party or movement, or of any European political foundation.
Amendment 687 #
Motion for a resolution
Annex to the motion for a resolution – Article 27 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1
Annex to the motion for a resolution – Article 27 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1
4. The Authority shall be represented by its president who shall takeensure the implementation of all decisions of the Authority on its behalf.
Amendment 708 #
Motion for a resolution
Annex to the motion for a resolution – Article 28
Annex to the motion for a resolution – Article 28
Amendment to Regulation (EU, Euratom) Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 1141/2014 is amended as follows: in Article 21, paragraph 1 is replaced by the following: “1. Subject to the second subparagraph, the funding of European political parties from the general budget of the European Union or from any other source may be used to finance campaigns conducted by the European electoral entities in the context of elections to the European Parliament in which they or their members participate. In accordance with Article 16 of Council Regulation ... on the election of the members of the European Parliament by direct universal suffrage, the funding and possible limitation of election expenses for all political parties, candidates and third parties in the national constituencies, in addition to their participation in elections to the European Parliament, is governed in each Member State by national provisions.”rticle 28 deleted No 1141/2014