WRITTEN QUESTION E-1007/01 by Yasmine Boudjenah (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Eurobarometer.
Date: 2001-03-30
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU Member State, foreign national, opinion poll, right to vote

13.11.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 318 E/179

The Commission is not in the position to indicate at this moment of time a precise time-table for
publishing a report.

The Commission will ensure broad consultation and approach all stakeholders with a legitimate interest in
this matter.

Information resulting from the implementation of other Community instruments, such as the proposed
Directive relating to the Assessment and Management of Environmental Noise (1), may provide useful input
to this group.

(1) OJ C 337 E, 28.11.2000.

(2001/C 318 E/194)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1007/01

by Yasmine Boudjenah (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(30 March 2001)

Subject: Eurobarometer

The latest Eurobarometer results are useful for assessing trends in public opinion on a range of EU issues.
Many of the questions concern the single currency, the employment situation, EU enlargement and the
common foreign policy. The Commission regularly makes changes or adjustments to the questions asked.

Would the Commission be prepared to add a question, one that could become a key indicator, on
recognition of the right of all foreigners (Community and non-Community) to vote in local and European
elections? The replies, and the trend revealed by them, could help with efforts to restart the campaign for
the right of foreign residents to vote, in accordance with the 1992 Council of Europe recommendation.

Answer given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission

(7 June 2001)

As the Honourable Member is aware, Community law (Article 19 (formerly Article 8b) of the EC Treaty)
guarantees for citizens of the Union the right to vote in their Member State of residence in municipal
elections and in elections to the European Parliament.

Regarding third-country nationals, the Commission(cid:146)s information is not necessarily up to date because
Member States are not under an obligation to notify it of amendments to their electoral legislation unless
they concern citizens of the Union. Subject to that proviso, it can provide the following information:
Denmark, Ireland, the Netherlands, Finland and Sweden grant the right to vote to third-country nationals;
Portugal and the United Kingdom also grant the right to vote, but only to certain foreigners. In France and
Belgium the question of whether or not to extend the right to vote to third-country nationals is under
discussion.

Since its resources are limited, the Commission allocates the bulk of its expenditure on surveys to matters
coming within its jurisdiction. In view of the fact that the voting right of third-country nationals falls
within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Member States, it is not considering adding questions on this topic
to the Eurobarometer in the near future.

Nevertheless, the Eurobarometer framework contract administered by the Commission is open to all
institutions of the European Union, so that the European Parliament is entitled to suggest adding questions
on this or other topics, at its expense and on its responsibility.