CYIL vol. 11 (2020)

CYIL 11 (2020) HAVE EU CITIZENS A RIGHT TO BECOME MEMBERS OF NATIONAL POLITICAL PARTIES? Conclusion In the current phase of European integration, EU law does not explicitly guarantee a right of Union citizens to a membership in national political parties in the State of residence. However, the case of the Czech Republic shows that exclusion of Union citizens from membership in national political parties may lead to unequal treatment in exercising the electoral rights granted by EU law. In such cases, the right to membership in political parties represents a corollary of electoral rights of Union citizens. It is a matter of further development of European integration and the will of the EU Member States to strengthen the political rights of Union citizens. Nevertheless, it must be borne in mind that, first, this area is sensitive for the Member States because it is related to their national identity and, second, developing political rights of Union citizens contributes to federalization of the EU.

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