By a large majority (425 votes in favour, 132 against and 109 abstentions) on Thursday 28 November, the European Parliament has expressed its support for holding new presidential elections in Bolivia “as soon as possible”, as an “essential” step towards a return to calm in the Andean country, in a joint resolution adopted by the EPP, S&D, Renew Europe and ECR groups .
MEPs, who have already voted in favour of sending an EU electoral mission to the next elections (see EUROPE 12369/9), are calling on the country's new authorities and, in particular, on the self-proclaimed President, Jeanine Añez, to ensure the “credibility” of the process. In particular, they are recommending the formation of a “new independent electoral court”.
According to the Organization of American States, the previous presidential election was marred by serious irregularities, including a 20-hour suspension of the vote count. After claiming victory, the outgoing Bolivian president, Evo Morales, was forced to flee the country as it plunged into chaos. More than thirty people have been killed in riots.
Taking into account the fact that the previous election was “null and void”, MEPs have rejected the amendment by the GUE/NGL group which condemns “the coup d'état perpetrated by the police and army” against Mr Morales' legitimate government.
The European Parliament also welcomes the decision to withdraw armed forces from demonstration areas and to repeal a law that gave them full freedom to use force. It calls for prompt, thorough and impartial in-depth investigations into the violence being perpetrated, with those responsible to be brought to justice.
See the resolution that has been adopted: http://bit.ly/37LIPdH (Original version in French by Mathieu Bion)