European Parliament Voting Analysis — Social Issues — May 18–21, 2026

During the May 18–21, 2026 voting block, the European Parliament focused on strengthening social protections and addressing persistent inequalities across the EU.

EP voting block May 18–21, 2026. Per-bill sections, sorted most-contested first.

3 bills 63.2% avg margin 0 close calls (<20%)

3 bills went to a roll-call vote in this voting block.

Most contested: Advancing towards a care society: addressing the gender care gap (Passed, 36.0% margin).

EPP saw the most party-line defections (23).

During the May 18–21, 2026 voting block, the European Parliament focused on strengthening social protections and addressing persistent inequalities across the EU. MEPs approved measures to reduce the gender care gap, aiming to advance towards a more equitable care society. The Parliament also passed legislation to enhance the rights, support, and protection of victims of crime, and adopted new initiatives to reduce work-related fatalities. These votes reflect a legislative agenda prioritizing social welfare, workplace safety, and gender equality across member states.

Advancing towards a care society: addressing the gender care gap

This bill addresses the persistent gender gap in unpaid and underpaid care work across the EU, calling for coordinated policy measures to recognize, redistribute, and reduce care responsibilities, which disproportionately fall on women. It urges Member States to strengthen public care services, improve working conditions in the care sector, and promote equal sharing of care duties between men and women, in line with EU gender equality strategies. The initiative responds to demographic changes, labour market needs, and ongoing debates about social infrastructure investment within the European Pillar of Social Rights framework.
A10-0083/2026 Passed Final vote: Y 263 · N 83 · A 154 Won by 180 votes (36.0%)
Rapporteur: Eleonora Meleti, Rosa Estaràs Ferragut · 1 final vote + 30 amendment votes · first vote 2026-05-21
Party split
EPP99/3/12S&D3/4/78Renew •41/7/11Greens/EFA42/0/0The Left35/0/0ECR •7/10/43Patriots •26/35/4ESN0/18/3Non-attached •10/6/3
Yes No Abstain • marks parties with <75% internal cohesion © Queen Street Analytics
Broke with party on this vote
  • EPP 15: Ana Miguel Pedro (A), Andrea Wechsler (A), Angelika Niebler (A), Branko Grims (A), David Casa (A), Davor Ivo Stier (A), Henrik Dahl (N), Luděk Niedermayer (A)
  • S&D 7: Bruno Gonçalves (Y), Csaba Molnár (N), Juan Fernando López Aguilar (Y), Klára Dobrev (N), Marc Angel (N), Maria Grapini (Y), Vytenis Povilas Andriukaitis (N)
  • ESN 3: Petar Volgin (A), Sarah Knafo (A), Stanislav Stoyanov (A)

Rights, support and protection of victims of crime

This bill updates EU rules on the rights, support, and protection available to victims of crime, aiming to harmonize standards across member states and improve access to justice. It addresses gaps in existing legislation by strengthening safeguards for vulnerable groups, enhancing cross-border cooperation, and ensuring victims receive timely information and assistance. The proposal reflects ongoing concerns about disparities in victim protection within the EU and responds to calls from civil society and several member states for more robust, uniform measures.
A9-0157/2024 No final vote recorded Latest vote: Y 440 · N 49 · A 84 Latest gap 391 votes (68.2%)
Rapporteur: Javier Zarzalejos, Lucia Yar · 1 roll-call (no final vote recorded) · first vote 2026-05-21
Party split
EPP126/2/4S&D105/0/0Renew66/0/0Greens/EFA43/0/0The Left37/0/0ECR8/0/60Patriots •43/24/11ESN0/22/2Non-attached •12/1/7
Yes No Abstain • marks parties with <75% internal cohesion © Queen Street Analytics
Broke with party on this vote
  • ECR 8: Adrian-George Axinia (Y), Assita Kanko (Y), Georgiana Teodorescu (Y), Gheorghe Piperea (Y), Kris Van Dijck (Y), Nikola Bartůšek (Y), Ondřej Krutílek (Y), Veronika Vrecionová (Y)
  • EPP 6: Hélder Sousa Silva (A), Henrik Dahl (A), Marco Falcone (A), Massimiliano Salini (N), Miriam Lexmann (A), Željana Zovko (N)
  • ESN 2: Sarah Knafo (A), Zsuzsanna Borvendég (A)

The need to reduce work-related fatalities

This resolution addresses the persistent issue of work-related fatalities across EU member states, calling for stronger enforcement of occupational health and safety standards. It highlights disparities in workplace safety records between countries and urges the Commission and national governments to prioritize prevention measures, data collection, and support for high-risk sectors. The initiative reflects ongoing concerns about labor conditions and aligns with broader EU efforts to improve worker protections under the European Pillar of Social Rights.
B10-0244/2026 Passed Final vote: Y 395 · N 12 · A 41 Won by 383 votes (85.5%)
1 final vote + 13 amendment votes · first vote 2026-05-21
Party split
EPP105/0/2S&D69/0/0Renew43/3/6Greens/EFA39/0/0The Left33/0/0ECR53/0/2Patriots •38/6/12ESN2/0/19Non-attached13/3/0
Yes No Abstain • marks parties with <75% internal cohesion © Queen Street Analytics
Broke with party on this vote
  • Renew 9: Abir Al-Sahlani (A), Andreas Glück (A), Christine Singer (N), Engin Eroglu (N), Jan-Christoph Oetjen (A), Joachim Streit (N), Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann (A), Moritz Körner (A)
  • Non-attached 3: Alvise Pérez (N), Kostas Papadakis (N), Lefteris Nikolaou-Alavanos (N)
  • ESN 2: Petar Volgin (Y), Stanislav Stoyanov (Y)
  • EPP 2: Henrik Dahl (A), Niels Flemming Hansen (A)
  • ECR 2: Anna Zalewska (A), Dominik Tarczyński (A)