The European Parliament approved the vote by proxy for MEPs on maternity leave, with 616 votes in favor. The measure must be ratified by the member states.

The European Parliament adopted on Wednesday, in Strasbourg, a reform that allows female MEPs to vote by proxy during pregnancy and maternity leave. The measure was approved with 616 votes in favor, 24 against, and eight abstentions, being supported by the majority of political families in the EP. It stipulates that female MEPs can delegate their vote to a colleague up to three months before giving birth and up to six months after. Although the vote was considered an important step for a more modern Parliament, the reform requires ratification from the 27 EU member states.

The President of the EP, Roberta Metsola, emphasized the importance of this measure to ensure the voting rights of mothers. Rapporteur Juan Fernando Lopez Aguilar mentioned that the vote brings the reform closer to becoming law, ensuring transparency and accountability. Although the measure was well received, the far right expressed reservations, and some MEPs pointed out that proxy voting should also be extended to men on paternity leave.