The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, said, on Thursday 27 May, that the presidential elections held the previous day in Syria “met none of the criteria of a genuinely democratic vote and do not contribute to the settlement of the conflict” (see EUROPE 12678/2).
Syrians voted in the regions under the control of the regime, meaning two thirds of the country. The vote is expected to give Bashar Al-Assad a fourth seven-year mandate. This is the second presidential election since the beginning of the conflict in 2011, after the 2014 election won by Al-Assad with 88% of the vote.
According to Mr Borrell, the election undermines efforts to find a sustainable solution to the Syrian conflict and cannot lead to any measure of international normalisation with the Syrian regime.
“Elections in Syria should take place only within the framework of a genuine political process, in line with UN Security Council Resolution 2254. They can only be credible if all Syrians, including internally displaced people, refugees and members of the diaspora, are able to participate in a safe, and neutral environment without threat of intimidation and in a free and fair political competition”, he said in a statement.
The High Representative explained that the EU is prepared to support free and fair elections in Syria in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 2254 and under supervision of the UN, to the highest international standards of transparency and accountability, with all Syrians, including members of the diaspora, eligible to participate.
Mr Borrell also demanded an end to the repression, the release of detainees and meaningful engagement by the Syrian regime and its allies towards the full implementation of Resolution 2254. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)