Know your rights
Every citizen of the Union has the right to vote and to stand as a candidate at elections to the European Parliament in the EU country in which he or she resides, under the same conditions as nationals of that country.
Members of the European Parliament shall be elected by direct universal suffrage in a free and secret ballot.
This right is enshrined in article 39 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights.
What to do if your rights have been breached
The authorities of EU countries are bound to comply with the Charter of Fundamental Rights only when implementing EU law. Fundamental rights are protected by your country's constitution.
Addressing your complaint to the relevant national authority, government, national courts or a specialised human rights body.
What the Commission is doing to protect your rights
Law
Directive 93/109/EU on the right to stand as a candidate in elections to European Parliament
Related rights
Chapter 5 of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights is on citizens' rights. This chapter also contains the following rights
- right to vote and to stand as a candidate at elections to the European Parliament
- right to vote and to stand as a candidate at municipal elections
- right to good administration
- right of access to documents
- european ombudsman
- right to petition
- freedom of movement and of residence
- diplomatic and consular protection