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Right to vote and to stand as a candidate at elections to the European Parliament

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.

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

Documents

  • 4 MAY 2017
EU Charter of Fundamental Rights infograph - where to go in case of breach?