From Ballots to Security: FURIC2024 in Brussels
On December 11-12 in Brussels, FURIC 2024 brought together 32 inspiring speakers and over 120 participants to tackle the critical theme ‘From Ballots to Security: Advancing Resilience Through Electoral Reforms.’ With hybrid threats growing and technology reshaping the electoral landscape, the discussions emphasized practical strategies to safeguard democracy worldwide. We discussed these pressing issues with […]
“Elections are a cornerstone of security” – Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s keynote at FURIC2024
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, National Leader of Belarus and Head of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus, delivered the opening keynote at the FURIC2024 conference ‘From Ballots to Security.’ In her address, she underscored the critical link between democratic elections and national as well as international security. Drawing on Belarus’s experience, she highlighted the dire consequences of […]
JOINT CALL TO GEORGIA’S INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS: Defend Democracy in Georgia
Georgia now stands at a precipice between a once-promising democracy and the threat of authoritarianism. The current reality is the product of years of democratic backsliding and the deliberate distancing of the ruling Georgian Dream party (GD) from the European Union integration process. Violations during the 2024 Parliamentary Elections During Georgia’s 2024 parliamentary elections, four […]
Venice Commission: “election observers are human rights defenders”
EPDE welcomes and appreciates the decision by the Venice Commission recognizing election observers as human rights defenders. This follows the declaration of UN Human Rights Rapporteurs’ recognition of election observers as human rights defenders in 2022. Election observers play a crucial role in safeguarding a wide array of fundamental rights, including the core political rights […]
Armenia: The statement of the Independent Observer on primaries observation carried out by Civil Contract party
This article was first published by EPDE member Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly-Vanadzor. The observation of primaries of the candidates nominated by the Civil Contract Party for the position of Acting Mayor of Gyumri took place from December 8-10, which included door to door visits, monitoring of the results counting as well as the study of the […]
Legitimacy Crisis: How Georgia’s Elections Were Rigged?
Georgia’s October 2024 parliamentary elections, which saw the ruling Georgian Dream party secure a fourth term, have sparked widespread domestic and international non-recognition due to credible allegations of systemic electoral fraud. With opposition parties boycotting parliament and protests erupting in Tbilisi and other main cities, the country faces a deepening legitimacy crisis. Observers report sophisticated […]
2024 Moldovan Elections: Insights and Priorities for Democratic Resilience
The 2024 constitutional referendum and presidential elections conducted in Moldova represented important milestones for the country’s democratic development and consolidating its resilience in front of aggressive outside interference. In this policy alert, Petru Culeac examines the election outcomes, the key challenges encountered, and the urgent reforms needed to secure the integrity of the 2025 parliamentary […]
Élections en Géorgie : des observateurs français d’extrême droite caution d’un scrutin contesté
“How can free and fair elections take place in such an environment in Belarus?” OSCE countries issued a statement
Ahead of the OSCE Ministerial Council meeting on December 6, 37 participating states issued a statement on the elections in Belarus. It noted that they remain deeply concerned about the constantly deteriorating human rights situation in Belarus, Pozirk reported. The statement once again called for the release of all political prisoners: “We reiterate that the Belarusian authorities must ensure […]
ISFED: In Order to Overcome the Current Legal and Political Crisis in the Country, It Is Important to Hold New Elections in Georgia
The statement was first published on ISFED’s website. Georgia currently confronts a severe political and legal crisis, directly resulting from the undemocratic actions of “Georgian Dream” over recent years, constitutional violations, and policies fundamentally contrary to the country’s national interests. The parliamentary elections of October 26, 2024, were conducted with violations of fundamental principles of […]