Clear regulations on the jurisdiction for "extra-national" divorces, as well as "the protection of children". These are two of the goals of a bill of the law submitted by the EU Commission about divorces between people of different nationalities within the EU and beyond. Today, the EU Parliament passed this measure by a wide majority (522 votes for, 89 votes against, 35 abstentions), "thus paving the way as explained by the German MEP Evelyne Gebhardt to a clearer, more exhaustive legislation". Every year in the EU 170 thousand couples "with mixed passports" are in a crisis. Often the situation is aggravated by conflicts on the children custody. The EU Executive’s position tends to "ensure the parents take their decisions responsibly". The aim is to at least choose "by mutual agreement" the Court to go to, which can be the country of either parent, the country in which the family lived, the country where they filed the application or where the wedding was celebrated. The MEP pointed out that "Parliament has only been consulted on this bill of law, while the Council needs an unanimous vote".
