Status of elected local officials who are also cross-border workers

10.7.2015

Question for written answer E-011210-15
to the Commission
Rule 130
Dominique Bilde (ENF) , Sophie Montel (ENF) , Florian Philippot (ENF) , Steeve Briois (ENF)

The number of cross-border workers is constantly rising. Many of them are also elected local officials.

At present, each Member State is free to draft its own legislation governing the status of elected local officials in such a way as to enable them to reconcile their professional and administrative obligations. Difficulties arise when elected local officials from a given country work in a neighbouring country and are denied elected local official status in both countries. In French departments located near borders, this situation can make equal participation in local political life impossible.

Without undermining national legislation or the sovereignty of Member States, what can the Commission do to enable cross-border workers to participate fully in the local political life of the country in which they live?