23/06/2014 Session
PACE has stated that Ukraine’s presidential election of 25 May was “in line with international commitments and respected fundamental freedoms in the vast majority of the country” despite continued violence in the east of Ukraine, which “seriously impacted the election environment”.
The report, prepared by Andreas Gross (Switzerland, SOC) and approved today by the Assembly, points out that the results of this election, which was characterised by a high turnout, have given the new President the necessary legitimacy to establish immediately an inclusive dialogue with all citizens in the eastern regions and decentralise State power in order to preserve the unity of the country. In the Assembly’s view, “there is no military solution to today’s crisis”.
However, in order to consolidate the whole electoral process, PACE invited the Ukrainian authorities to adopt a unified electoral code, as there are too many laws governing elections and they are unnecessarily complex and unclear. Concerned by the place of money and oligarchies in politics in Ukraine in general and in the election process in particular, the Assembly also recommended increased supervision and transparency of political party and election campaign funding.
The Assembly pledged to continue its close co-operation with the Ukrainian authorities, by means of its monitoring procedure, and with the Venice Commission.