EU Approves Proxy Voting for Pregnant MEPs and Recent Mothers

European affairs ministers, meeting as the General Affairs Council on Tuesday, March 16, 2026, have approved a plan allowing Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) to cast proxy ballots during the final three months of pregnancy and the first six months after childbirth. This decision aims to improve democratic representation and support MEPs in balancing work and family life.

What is the General Affairs Council?

The General Affairs Council (GAC) is a key body within the European Union responsible for preparing meetings of the European Council and handling cross-cutting EU policy areas.

Next Steps for the Proposal

Following the Council’s approval, the text will be forwarded to the European Parliament for official endorsement. After the Parliament’s green light, it will return to the Council for final approval. Subsequently, EU member countries will need to ratify the proposal before it takes effect. The EU intends to have the system implemented by the next European Parliament elections in 2029, as reported by POLITICO’s Brussels Playbook.

Reactions to the Decision

A senior EU diplomat stated that the plan is “a positive step for democratic representation” and will help MEPs “reconcile private life and work and ensure inclusive representation.” Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, expressed optimism on social media, stating, “We’re not there yet, but we are turning this commitment into reality.”

The European Council

The European Council currently has António Costa as its President. The Council is comprised of the heads of state or government of the EU member states. The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy also participates in its meetings. The European Council was informally established in 1961 and formally in 2009.

EU Member States (as of March 17, 2026)

• Austria
• Belgium
• Bulgaria
• Croatia
• Cyprus
• Czech Republic
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Hungary
• Ireland
• Italy
• Latvia
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Malta
• Netherlands
• Poland
• Portugal
• Romania
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Spain
• Sweden