21/02/2020 (Agence Europe) – Responding to an invitation from the Bolivian authorities, the European Union has announced the deployment, from 18 March, of an electoral observation mission for the presidential elections, the first round of which will take place on 3 May (potential second round on 14 June). These elections will be "crucial" for reaffirming Bolivia's commitment to democratic principles, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell said, as the presidential elections at the end of 2019 had led to the flight of outgoing President Evo Morales (see EUROPE 12379/23). Led by Isabel Santos (S&D, Portugal), the mission will deploy a team of experts to La Paz from 18 March. Thirty long-term observers will then be deployed throughout the country, followed by 60 short-term observers to be deployed on a date close to the elections. (MB)