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In Türkiye’s presidential runoff, a competitive campaign continued to be marked by lack of level playing...

29/05/2023 | Election observation

The second round of Türkiye’s presidential election was well run and gave voters the opportunity to choose between real political alternatives, but was characterized by increasingly inflammatory and discriminatory language during the campaign period. Media bias and ongoing restrictions to freedom...

PACE to observe the second round of Türkiye’s presidential election

26/05/2023 | Election observation

A 17-member delegation of members of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), led by Frank Schwabe (Germany, SOC), will return to Türkiye from 26 to 29 May 2023 to observe the second round of the presidential election, alongside other international observers from the OSCE...

Türkiye elections marked by unlevel playing field yet still competitive, international observers say

15/05/2023 | Election observation

Characterised by a high turnout, Türkiye’s general elections were well-managed and offered voters a choice between genuine political alternatives, but the current president and the ruling parties enjoyed an unjustified advantage. Continued restrictions on fundamental freedoms of assembly...

PACE to observe the presidential and parliamentary elections in Türkiye

12/05/2023 | Election observation

A 33-member delegation of members of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), led by Frank Schwabe (Germany, SOC), will be in Türkiye from 12 to 15 May 2023 to observe the presidential and parliamentary elections on 14 May, alongside other international observers from the OSCE...

At Bern conference, speakers stress need for core democratic standards even in times of crisis

10/05/2023 | Election observation

Keynote speakers, in a series of addresses to the parliamentary conference on “elections in times of crisis” in Bern, have highlighted the fragility of democratic institutions, and the central importance of maintaining core democratic standards even in unprecedented crisis situations. Introducing...

A set of ideas for keeping elections fair in times of emergency, crisis or disaster

10/05/2023 | Election observation

In a final declaration approved at the end of the two-day “Elections in times of crisis” conference in Berne, Switzerland, participants have set out a range of ideas and proposals for governments, election organisers and observers on how to make elections more resilient in the face of health...

Conference on ‘elections in times of crisis’ opens in Bern

09/05/2023 | Election observation

A major parliamentary conference on “elections in times of crisis” opened this morning in Bern, Switzerland, focusing on how to make democracies more resilient in the face of pandemics, warfare, terror attacks, natural disasters and new digital technologies. The event, organised by the...

Election observer partners meet to discuss co-operation

08/05/2023 | Election observation

Representatives of institutional partners who work together in the framework of International Election Observation Missions (IEOM) met in Bern, Switzerland, today to renew links and discuss reinforcing co-operation. Taking part in the meeting - hosted by PACE Secretary General Despina...

Presidential and parliamentary elections in Türkiye: statement by the PACE pre-electoral delegation

14/04/2023 | Election observation

A pre-electoral delegation from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) visited Ankara to assess the election campaign and the preparations for the presidential and parliamentary elections to be held in Türkiye on 14 May 2023. During two days of meetings, the delegation met a...

PACE observer delegation makes pre-electoral visit to Türkiye

11/04/2023 | Election observation

A six-member, cross-party delegation* of observers from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), led by Frank Schwabe (Germany, SOC), is making a pre-electoral visit to Türkiye on 12-13 April 2023 to assess the election campaign and political climate prior to the early...

Bulgaria’s parliamentary elections competitive and well-managed, but frequent changes to legal framework...

03/04/2023 | Election observation

Bulgaria’s 2 April early parliamentary elections were competitive and well-managed but, while the legal framework is adequate for holding democratic elections, frequent changes erode trust, undercut efficiency and create challenges to making timely preparations, international observers said in a...

Montenegro’s presidential runoff competitive and well run despite harsh rhetoric and legal uncertainties...

03/04/2023 | Election observation

The second round of Montenegro’s presidential election was competitive and as in the first round candidates were able to campaign freely with fundamental freedoms respected, but the tone was increasingly negative and the gaps in the legal framework became ever more apparent, international...