Embedding care in democracy: proxy voting reform in the European Parliament (and in Member States)

3 min read

On 13 November 2025, the European Parliament initiated the legislative procedure to amend the EU Electoral Act. The proposal, drafted by the Committee on Constitutional Affairs, seeks to introduce a clearly defined exception to the current rule that all votes in the Parliament’s plenary sessions must be cast in person. Although maternity-related absences are recognised as justified, Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) are not presently allowed to vote remotely, by proxy, or through temporary substitution. Concerns about it have gained increasing visibility in Parliament. In 2023, 13 MEPs publicly drew attention to the issue and submitted a petition to President Roberta Metsola, prompting her to propose reforms and present new maternity-related initiatives to Parliament’s Bureau in 2025.

The amendment aims to ensure that Members who are temporarily unable to attend plenary sessions because of pregnancy or recent childbirth can still fully exercise their mandates. It would permit them to delegate their votes to another MEP for up to three months before the estimated due date and for six months after giving birth. Parliament adopted the proposal with 605 votes in favour, 30 against, and five abstentions. The text will now be sent to the Council, which must approve it unanimously. If the Council introduces changes, the revised act will then require the support of a majority of sitting MEPs. Finally, for the new rules to take effect, all EU Member States must ratify them according to their national constitutional requirements.

A snapshot of practices across Member States

Maternity leave and voting arrangements for parliamentarians vary significantly across the EU. While all Member States permit maternity leave in principle, the various legal frameworks and practical solutions differ widely. In seven Member States (Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Portugal and Slovenia), MPs are entitled to maternity leave, generally under the same social security systems and labour laws as public sector employees. Some parliaments allow temporary substitution only for committee work (Belgium and Finland), while others rely on informal practices rather than formal rules (France). At present, only three EU countries – Greece, Luxembourg and Spain – provide explicit provisions enabling Members to vote in absentia for maternity-related reasons. 

Several national parliaments expanded the possibilities for remote participation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Temporary measures enabled remote voting or attendance for Members who could not be physically present, thereby incidentally benefiting those on maternity leave. These emergency frameworks were typically introduced under crisis legislation and, in most cases, have since lapsed or are no longer applicable outside emergency scenarios. In most national chambers, plenary voting therefore still always requires the MP’s physical presence. 

Towards more care-responsive parliaments

This reform forms part of the European Parliament’s broader efforts to advance gender equality, promote inclusivity and support a better work–life balance, particularly for mothers in politics. The European Parliament is not exempt from the broader challenges of care that affect workplaces across Europe. Ensuring equal participation of both women and men MEPs requires concrete measures that acknowledge caregiving as a shared social responsibility rather than as an individual burden. Introducing proxy voting for maternity-related absences is therefore a necessary step towards a more equitable parliamentary environment.

By introducing a clear framework for proxy voting, Parliament seeks not only to ensure fair treatment for its own Members, but also to set a benchmark for national legislatures. This reform has helped spark a wider conversation about how parliaments can better support MPs who are parents, especially women, who still disproportionately carry caregiving duties. Women bear the primary responsibility for child care and are twice as likely as men to spend at least five hours per day on it. This unequal division of care significantly hinders women’s ability to participate in the labour market, including political life, on an equal footing with men. While continued work is needed to challenge and dismantle the gender stereotypes that place the burden of care primarily on women, it is equally essential to provide practical solutions that enable women to remain active and visible in politics today. Nevertheless, fewer than half of Member State parliaments provide dedicated childcare facilities or other family-friendly spaces, even though such measures are crucial for helping elected representatives and staff reconcile their professional responsibilities with their care commitments.

Parental responsibilities should never prevent elected representatives from fulfilling their democratic mandates. Setting this standard at EU level may also encourage Member States to revisit and modernise their own parliamentary practices, paving the way for broader reforms across the Union.