Metsola hails 'crack in glass ceiling' as EU approves flexible voting for pregnant MEPs
Source: Euractiv
European ministers approved plans to allow female lawmakers in the European Parliament to delegate their vote temporarily before and after childbirth – a reform supporters say will make the institution more family-friendly.
Parliament President Roberta Metsola told Euractiv that the Council of the EU’s vote on Tuesday was “another crack in the glass ceiling” and an “important step” for women in politics.
“No woman should have to choose between serving her voters and having children,” Metsola said.
The Maltese lawmaker outlined the reform plans in June 2025, following a 2023 in-house campaign, pledging to update the rules for young mothers.
Currently, MEPs who are advanced in their pregnancy or on maternity leave must forgo voting unless they travel to Strasbourg, where plenary votes take place roughly once a month.
According to the European Parliament’s research service for members, only a handful of EU countries’ national parliaments, such as Greece and Spain, allow MEPs on maternity leave to vote while absent.
European ministers approved plans to allow female lawmakers in the European Parliament to delegate their vote temporarily before and after childbirth – a reform supporters say will make the institution more family-friendly.
Parliament President Roberta Metsola told Euractiv that the Council of the EU’s vote on Tuesday was “another crack in the glass ceiling” and an “important step” for women in politics.
“No woman should have to choose between serving her voters and having children,” Metsola said.
The Maltese lawmaker outlined the reform plans in June 2025, following a 2023 in-house campaign, pledging to update the rules for young mothers.
Currently, MEPs who are advanced in their pregnancy or on maternity leave must forgo voting unless they travel to Strasbourg, where plenary votes take place roughly once a month.
According to the European Parliament’s research service for members, only a handful of EU countries’ national parliaments, such as Greece and Spain, allow MEPs on maternity leave to vote while absent.