30/08/23 (Agence Europe) – Calling for an orderly transfer of power in Guatemala following the victory of the leader of the Semilla movement, Bernardo Arévalo (see EUROPE 13235/13), the European Union said it was “deeply concerned over persistent attempts to undermine the election results through selective and arbitrary legal and procedural actions” on Tuesday 29 August. In a press release, the High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, calls on the Guatemalan political class and institutions to “fully respect the integrity of the electoral process and its outcome”. Earlier this week, the Guatemalan Supreme Electoral Tribunal suspended the Semilla movement, a decision that would not prevent Mr Arévalo from being nominated, but would prevent his party from working in the national parliament. The EU also condemns the raids carried out against defenders of justice, in particular the arrest of Claudia Gonzalez. Such actions may have a negative impact on bilateral relations, it warns. (MB)