Council Directive (EU) 2025/1788
This Directive is all about making it easier for EU citizens who live in a different Member State than their own to vote and run in European Parliament elections. Think of it as an update to the rules, ensuring that these citizens have the same rights as locals when it comes to casting ballots and seeking office. The goal is to boost participation in the EU’s democratic process by clarifying the conditions for registration, emphasizing easy access to information, and clamping down on anyone trying to vote or run in multiple places.
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1804
This Regulation is a quick adjustment to import duties on certain types of husked rice, specifically those falling under CN code 1006 20, but excluding basmati. It sets a new duty of EUR 42.50 per tonne, based on the volume of import licenses recently issued. It’s a simple update that repeals a previous regulation on the same topic and aims to keep import duties aligned with the agreement between the EU and the United States. The focus is on making sure the right duty is applied to the right kind of rice.
Review of each of legal acts published today:
Council Directive (EU) 2025/1788 of 24 June 2025 laying down detailed arrangements for the exercise of the right to vote and to stand as a candidate in elections to the European Parliament for Union citizens residing in a Member State of which they are not nationals (recast)
Here’s a breakdown of the Council Directive (EU) 2025/1788:
**1. Essence of the Act:**
This Directive aims to simplify and update the rules for EU citizens living in a Member State where they are not nationals to vote and stand as candidates in European Parliament elections. It ensures these citizens can exercise their electoral rights under the same conditions as the host country’s nationals, prevents double voting, and promotes broader participation in the democratic process. The directive recasts and updates previous legislation (Directive 93/109/EC) to reflect changes in the Treaties and experience gained over successive elections.
**2. Structure and Main Provisions:**
The Directive is structured into four chapters:
* **Chapter I (General Provisions):** Defines the scope, subject matter, and key terms like “elections to the European Parliament,” “Member State of residence,” “Union voter,” and “formal declaration.” It establishes the basic conditions for the right to vote and stand as a candidate, emphasizing that non-national EU citizens should have the same rights as nationals of the host Member State. It also prohibits voting more than once or standing as a candidate in multiple Member States.
* **Chapter II (Exercise of the Right to Vote and the Right to Stand as a Candidate):** Details the practical arrangements for exercising electoral rights. This includes the process for registering on the electoral roll, the documents and declarations required, and the conditions for remaining on the roll. It also covers the registration process for candidates, including required declarations and supporting documents. The Directive mandates that Member States inform individuals of decisions regarding their registration and provide legal remedies in case of refusal. It also requires Member States to designate authorities responsible for informing non-national Union citizens about their electoral rights and the relevant rules and procedures. This chapter also establishes an information exchange mechanism between Member States to prevent multiple voting or candidacies.
* **Chapter III (Derogations and Transitional Provisions):** Addresses specific situations where Member States can deviate from the general rules, particularly in cases where the proportion of non-national EU citizens is significantly high. It also includes transitional provisions related to the implementation of the Directive.
* **Chapter IV (Final Provisions):** Covers reporting requirements for Member States, evaluation of the Directive by the Commission, committee procedures, the exercise of delegated powers, transposition into national law, and repeal of the previous Directive.
**Key changes compared to previous versions:**
* **Clarification of Conditions:** The Directive clarifies the conditions governing registration and participation in elections to ensure equal treatment of all Union citizens.
* **Formal Declarations:** It introduces standardized formal declarations for voters and candidates, including specific elements to demonstrate their entitlement to participate in elections.
* **Information Exchange:** It strengthens the information exchange between Member States to prevent multiple voting and candidacies, including the establishment of a framework supported by the Commission.
* **Accessibility of Information:** It emphasizes the accessibility of electoral information, particularly for persons with disabilities and those lacking digital skills.
* **Statistical Data:** It introduces provisions for the collection and provision of statistical data on the participation of non-national Union citizens in elections.
**3. Main Provisions for Practical Use:**
* **Article 9 (Entry on and removal from the electoral roll):** This article is crucial for Union citizens wishing to vote in their Member State of residence. It outlines the documents and formal declarations required for registration, including personal information, a statement of intent to vote only in the Member State of residence, and potentially a valid ID, personal identification number, and contact details.
* **Article 10 (Registration as a candidate):** This article is important for Union citizens who want to stand as candidates. It specifies the documents and formal declarations needed, including personal information, a statement that they are not running in another Member State, and confirmation that they have not been deprived of the right to stand as a candidate in their home Member State.
* **Article 13 (Information exchange mechanism):** This article is relevant for Member States, as it mandates the exchange of information to prevent multiple voting and candidacies. It also empowers the Commission to define the technical standards for the operation of the information exchange framework.
* **Article 12 (Provision of information):** This article is important for ensuring that Union citizens are well-informed about their rights and the electoral process. Member States must designate authorities to provide information on registration conditions, election dates, voter and candidate rights, and means of obtaining further information.
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1804 of 5 September 2025 fixing the import duties applicable to certain types of husked rice from 8 September 2025
This Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1804 adjusts the import duties applicable to certain types of husked rice (CN code 1006 20) excluding basmati rice. It sets a new import duty based on the volume of import licenses issued during the period from September 1, 2024, to August 29, 2025. The regulation repeals the previous Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/475, which had set a different import duty for the same type of rice. It aims to ensure the correct application of duties according to the established method outlined in the agreement between the EU and the United States.
The structure of the regulation is simple. It consists of a preamble that provides the legal basis and justification for the regulation, followed by three articles. Article 1 sets the new import duty for husked rice at EUR 42.50 per tonne, excluding basmati rice as defined in Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/2835. Article 2 repeals the previous regulation, Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/475. Article 3 states that the regulation enters into force on the day of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. The regulation does not introduce new policy, but rather adjusts an existing duty based on observed import volumes.
The most important provision is Article 1, which directly sets the import duty for husked rice, excluding basmati, at EUR 42.50 per tonne. This is the key element that importers and customs authorities need to be aware of. The reference to Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/2835 is also important, as it specifies the varieties of basmati rice that are excluded from this duty.
