"the removal of the impediments to democratic participation by granting migrants voting rights, including the right to vote and the right to stand in local and regional elections after a residence period of five years or less;"
This amendment is based on Resolution 1618 (2008) on the 'State of democracy in Europe, measures to improve the democratic participation of migrants'. Democratic participation is a vital condition for the integration of migrants in society. Furthermore, granting voting rights to migrants ensures that candidates also take the feelings and interests of migrants into account during their election campaign.