As already stated by the Venice Commission, “the margin of appreciation is wide’ for members states, but it ‘is not all-embracing’ (Hirst (no. 2), § 82). It is, of course, this issue which has been most contentious in the case-law of the Strasbourg Court. The proportionality test is the main common European standard to be applied for restrictions on the right to stand in elections or for the loss of mandate.”
