Brussels, 17/05/2016 (Agence Europe) - The parliamentary elections in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) on 5 June risk not being credible since three of the four main political parties cannot currently take part, said the spokesperson for High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini on Tuesday 17 May. “We don't see the minimum conditions to enable credible elections on 5 June which could be recognised by the international community”, said Maja Kocijancic, Mogherini's spokesperson. The “minimum conditions” she mentions refer to the fact that three parties - the Social Democratic Union of Macedonia (SDSM), the Democratic Union for Integration (BDI) and the Democratic Party of Albanians (PDSH) - have not submitted their electoral lists to the state electoral commission on time (before 11 May). In these circumstances, “the government resulting from elections where three major political parties will not be represented will not be a credible partner for the international community”, she said.
Kocijancic stated that the June/July 2015 political agreement had as one of its objectives the holding of credible elections (see EUROPE 11360). She added that the European Union had constantly underlined the need for the electoral lists to be updated, for media coverage to be fair, and for investigations to be conducted into the intimidation of voters. Kocijancic then called for the political leaders and stakeholders to take decisive measures to become involved in the situation, in full respect of the political agreement - including measures on the rule of law. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)