Ukraine needs to overhaul its legislation on parties and elections ahead of EU accession
In alignment with recent strategic plans and commitments outlined in the rule of law roadmap, Ukraine is required to implement significant legislative reforms to meet the standards necessary for European integration.
The Central Election Commission (CEC) emphasized that the country must update its legal framework governing political party activities and electoral processes to ensure transparency and democratic integrity in upcoming elections.
A key aspect of this process involves preparing and enacting a law that defines how Ukrainian citizens can participate in European Parliament elections — both for those voting and running for office within Ukraine, as well as for EU citizens residing permanently in Ukraine.Importantly, these new legal norms will take effect only after Ukraine’s accession to the EU.
Nevertheless, their development is already a priority, incorporated into the reform agenda.
Ukraine must not only adapt EU directives related to the electoral rights of EU citizens but also independently set rules for organizing European Parliament elections domestically.
The European Union’s core principles for elections include equal voting rights for EU citizens living and working in other member states, with proportional representation systems that can vary in their specific implementation from country to country.For Ukraine, this means that future party reforms should consider facilitating the participation of EU citizens in all levels of intra-party processes, including membership and internal activities, in accordance with European standards.
European institutions stress the importance of enabling these citizens to also become party members in the country where they reside, fostering democratic development.The roadmap for democratic institutional functioning, also approved by the government, highlights the need for legislative updates that recognize the rights of foreign citizens to engage in political life.
These reforms are viewed as a crucial step toward deeper European integration, creating more equitable opportunities for all participants in the electoral process.Overall, Ukraine’s preparation for these changes aims at building a more inclusive political landscape, ensuring that foreign residents of EU countries in Ukraine can participate fully in the country’s political life, thereby strengthening democratic practices and aligning national legislation with European standards.