The EU Justice Commissioner and Vice-President of the European Commission, Viviane Reding, yesterday appealed to Malta and to four other countries to show ‘greater flexibility’ in applying disenfranchisement policies.

Speaking to the media at noon in Brussels, Commissioner Reding asked: “What happens to your right to vote in national elections when you, as an EU citizen, move to live, work, or retire in another Member State? And what happens when Member States apply rules which automatically remove the right to vote in national elections after a citizen has resided for a certain period abroad in the EU?”

She added: “In a certain way such practice is punishing EU citizens for exercising their right to free movement in the EU.

“Disenfranchisement practices such as these have created in fact a group of second class citizens from whom something essential has been taken away from their home country.”

The Commissioner announced that she has issued guidance to those Member States applying disenfranchisement policies.

“Five countries are concerned: Cyprus, Denmark, Ireland, Malta and the United Kingdom. I am asking these countries to show greater flexibility so that their own nationals are not automatically denied their vote after a certain period.

“I am inviting them to enable their nationals who make use of their free movement rights to retain their right to vote in national elections - if they demonstrate a continuing interest in the political life of their country.

“We believe these citizens should have the option of applying to remain on the electoral roll and should be informed about the conditions for retaining their right to vote in national elections.”