13/10/2021 (Agence Europe) – The High Representative the Union for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, welcomed on Wednesday 13 October the successful conduct of the parliamentary elections in Iraq, which were generally peaceful and in line with standards, despite a low turnout estimated at 41%. According to a preliminary statement by the EU Election Observation Mission led by Viola von Cramon-Taubadel (Greens/EFA, Germany), polling stations were well administered and the election was conducted on a competitive basis. “I hope that after the announcement of the final results, this process will lead to the rapid formation of a representative government”, Mr Borrell said in a statement. A total of 3,249 candidates, including 951 women, were vying for 329 seats. Weaknesses include the dominance of traditional political parties in the campaign and the absence of campaign expenditure limits. See the preliminary report: https://bit.ly/3oVwXkp (MB)