03/05/2019 (Agence Europe) – The spokesperson of the European External Action Service called on the various parties in Benin to engage in dialogue on Friday 3 May, against the backdrop of parliamentary elections on 28 April that were boycotted by the opposition, who were unable to comply with the new, highly restrictive Electoral Code, and demonstrations that have followed one after another since the election. “In the face of the tensions of recent days, it is important that all parties engage in dialogue to overcome their differences and preserve Benin's democratic heritage”, the spokesperson said in a statement. She regrets that efforts to reach a consensus allowing the involvement of all political actors before the election had failed, and that the “non-inclusive” parliamentary elections had “generated historically low turnout and were marked by acts of violence”. Participation in the elections did not exceed 23%. (CG)