20 TĂNASE v. MOLDOVA JUDGMENT Republic of Macedonia” (64.2% Macedonian; 25.2% Albanian; 10.6% other). The numbers of dual nationals in these countries is not known. None of these States prohibit dual nationals from standing for Parliament. 93. In the twenty-seven member States of the European Union, sixteen allow dual nationality, five prohibit it or allow it only in exceptional circumstances (the Czech Republic, Denmark, Greece, Lithuania and Poland) and six (Austria, Estonia, Germany, Latvia, the Netherlands and Spain) allow it in certain circumstances, to varying extents. Two States – Bulgaria and Lithuania – prohibit the election of dual nationals to Parliament. Further limitations exist in three States (Latvia, Malta and Portugal – see paragraphs 87-88 above). THE LAW 94. The applicant alleged that the prohibition on Moldovan nationals holding other nationalities sitting as members of parliament (MPs) following their election interfered with his right to stand as a candidate in free elections and to take his seat in Parliament if elected, thus ensuring the free expression of the opinion of the people in the choice of the legislature. He relied on Article 3 of Protocol No. 1, which provides: “The High Contracting Parties undertake to hold free elections at reasonable intervals by secret ballot, under conditions which will ensure the free expression of the opinion of the people in the choice of the legislature.” 95. He also complained under Article 14 of the Convention taken in conjunction with Article 3 of Protocol No. 1 that he had been subjected to discrimination in comparison with Moldovan nationals holding multiple nationalities and living in Transdniestria. Article 14 of the Convention provides: “The enjoyment of the rights and freedoms set forth in [the] Convention shall be secured without discrimination on any ground such as sex, race, colour, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, association with a national minority, property, birth or other status.”