Brussels, 03/11/2015 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 12 November, the European Union reiterated that the EU supported elections based on international standards, “conducted in a transparent and inclusive manner”. The parliamentary elections held in Azerbaijan the previous day were not, however, observed by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).
“No agreement was reached between the Azerbaijani authorities and the OSCE/ODIHR on the number of electoral observers, which compelled the OSCE to cancel its election observation mission” due to the restrictions imposed, said the spokesperson for High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini, adding that an election observation mission of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) had, on the other hand, been deployed. The European Parliament did not send a delegation.
“The Azerbaijani authorities need to implement previous OSCE/ODIHR recommendations”, Mogherini's spokesperson said, stating that one major opposition party did not take part in the elections, as it did not believe that a level playing field was ensured for all parties.
According to the PACE mission, the elections took place in line with Azerbaijan's electoral code - which provides a legal framework for the democratic conduct of elections. PACE stated that election day had been “calm and peaceful”.
The ruling Yeni (New Azerbaijan) Party, the president's party, won 71 of the parliament's 125 seats. The turnout rate was 55.7%. The main opposition parties criticised the elections as being completely rigged.
Mogherini's spokesperson ended by saying that the EU looks forward to continuing cooperation with Azerbaijani institutions, including the newly elected parliament, for the benefit of all citizens. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)