30/05/2011 Political Affairs and Democracy
Strasbourg, 30.05.2011 - According to a report on the situation in Tunisia, prepared by Anne Brasseur (Luxembourg, ALDE) and adopted by the PACE Political Affairs Committee today in Paris, the Assembly must put its experience of accompanying democratic transitions and establishing new institutions in young democracies in Europe at the disposal of Tunisia’s transitional institutions, future permanent institutions and civil society.
For the committee, the Assembly should in particular contribute to the organisation and observation of the elections to the National Constituent Assembly. "The material organisation of the elections originally scheduled for 24 July being extremely complicated, the Superior Independent Authority of Elections adopted the proposal to postpone the polling day to 16 October. The quality of the preparation of the elections should, in my opinion, take precedence over the timetable," said Ms Brasseur. She warned about the deterioration of the economic and social situation and the danger that it could be exploited in the run-up to the elections. She also pointed out that the conflict in neighbouring Libya and the issue of irregular Tunisian migrants to Europe are further complicating the situation in the country and its relations with Europe.