During the evening of Monday 5 December, the European Union urged the Republic of Uzbekistan to continue its reforms, following the presidential elections that saw the election of the interim president, Chavkat Mirzioïev, with 88.61% of the vote after the death of Islma Karimov. The turnout for the election was 87.83%.
Stating that the preliminary conclusions of the OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission underscored the need for comprehensive reform to address long-standing, systemic shortcomings, the spokesperson for the European External Action Service (EEAS) said that "Uzbekistan’s authorities should effectively address these weaknesses". In its preliminary report, the OSCE says that legal framework is not appropriate for the holding of democratic elections, and the report highlights significant irregularities on the day of the election. According to the OSCE, the dominant position of the state actors and the limits to fundamental freedoms undermine political pluralism and result in a campaign lacking any real competition. Furthermore, the media work in a very restrictive and controlled environment.
In the EEAS press release, the spokesperson said that the recommendations contained within the OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission's final report would provide a solid basis to improve the electoral framework. "The European Union stands ready to assist in this process" of reforms, the spokesperson stated.
According to the spokesperson, the "significant reforms that began in the run-up to the elections", in particular steps to improve the business climate, the judicial system, labour conditions, administrative accountability and the fight against corruption, should continue. "The further continuation and deepening of these reforms will strengthen Uzbekistan’s democratic governance and economic and social development", the spokesperson added.
The EEAS spokesperson also announced that the EU would work with the newly-elected president to step up its current engagement with the authorities and the people of Uzbekistan, based on their bilateral partnership and cooperation agreement and the EU's Central Asia Strategy. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)