18/11/2019 (Agence Europe) – The spokesperson of the European External Action Service said, on Monday 18 November, that the previous day's parliamentary elections in Belarus had been a “missed opportunity to conduct elections in full compliance with international standards”. While they took place in a generally calm atmosphere, the spokesperson thereby denounced a general failure to respect the fundamental freedoms of assembly, association and expression and a “limited number of campaigns (which) took place in a restrictive environment, which, on the whole, did not give rise to significant or competitive political competition”. No opposition members were elected and there are reports of numerous cases of fraud. “In view of the presidential elections in 2020, it is crucial that the authorities continue their work on comprehensive electoral reforms without delay”, the spokesperson added. (CG)