Brussels, 14/10/2003 (Agence Europe) - the "battle" over voting rights for immigrants in council elections "is already virtually won", declared the spokesperson for Commissioner Antonio Vitorino on Tuesday. The latter is in charge of justice and home affairs. Spokesman, Pietro Petrucci, underlined that eight Member States already allowed non EU nationals to vote in council elections (United Kingdom, Ireland, Spain, Portugal, Sweden, Denmark, Finland and the Netherlands), four still do not but their Constitution allows it (Greece, Italy, Luxembourg and Belgium, whereas in three Member States, the Constitution does not allow it (Germany, France and Austria).
Pietro Petucci pointed out that European Commission came our on several occasions for the right of foreigners to vote in council elections, notably in the communication in June on the integration of third country nations (EUROPE 4 June). But it noted that there was no legal basis for the Commission to produce proposals in this area, regretting that the draft Constitution of the European convention did not anticipate introducing such a legal basis. The spokesperson for Commissioner Vitorino did not give an opinion in this debate, which is ongoing in Italy and on which he was questioned. Vice Prime Minister, Gianfranco Fini estimate that they should envisage giving the right to immigrants to vote in council elections by mentioning the anger of the Lega Nord.
The situation of EU nations is different as the treaty give them the right to vote and eligibility in all Member States during council and European elections.