News and press releases

TBILISI, 24 September 2016 – Leading members of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly election observation mission to the 8 October parliamentary elections in Georgia today concluded a three-day visit to the country, noting the active participation of many parties in the campaign...

COPENHAGEN, 23 September 2016 – In one week, the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s 15th Autumn Meeting will open in Skopje with addresses by host officials including Speaker of Parliament Trajko Veljanoski and Vice-President Renata Deskoska. The opening session will also feature remarks by OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President Christine Muttonen (MP, Austria) and a special address by Mevlut Cavusoglu, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey, followed by a debate...

MOSCOW, 19 September 2016- The 18 September State Duma elections in the Russian Federation were transparently administered by the Central Election Commission, but challenges to democratic commitments remain. The legal framework can serve as an adequate basis for elections, but the electoral environment was negatively affected by restrictions to fundamental freedoms and political rights, firmly controlled media and a tightening grip on civil society, the international observers concluded in a preliminary statement released today...

COPENHAGEN, 13 September 2016 – Former President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Ilkka Kanerva will lead the OSCE’s short-term observer mission to the 18 September vote in the Russian Federation. Kanerva, a member of parliament from Finland, was appointed Special Co-ordinator to lead the mission by OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier in July...

MINSK, 12 September 2016 – The 11 September parliamentary elections were efficiently organized and there were visible efforts to address some long-standing issues, but a number of systemic shortcomings remain, the international observers concluded in a preliminary statement released today. The legal framework restricts political rights and fundamental freedoms and was interpreted in an overly restrictive manner. Media coverage did not enable voters to make an informed choice and, despite an overall increase in the number of candidates, including a significant number from the opposition, the campaign lacked visibility, the statement says...

POZZALLO, Italy, 9 September 2016 – In the second in a series of visits to migration hotspots across Europe, a senior delegation of OSCE parliamentarians today wrapped up a visit to Sicily, where they witnessed first-hand the challenges faced by refugees, migrants, aid workers and authorities related to the ongoing migration crisis impacting the continent...

COPENHAGEN, 9 September 2016 – To continue developing the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s potential in addressing aspects of the conflict cycle, including early warning, prevention and dialogue facilitation, PA President Christine Muttonen (MP, Austria) has appointed President Emeritus Ilkka Kanerva (MP, Finland) as the Assembly’s first Special Representative on Mediation...