EU EOM Paraguay 2018: Chief Observer Renate Weber arrives to the country
The Chief of Mission has been appointed by the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and the Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, to lead, for the second time, an election observation mission in Paraguay. Renate Weber stated: “I am honoured to again head an election observation mission of the European Union in Paraguay. These elections constitute another important step in the efforts of this country to consolidate its democratic institutions. We hope to contribute, once again, with our impartial and objective evaluation, to a credible, transparent and inclusive process. We will continue collaborating with the Paraguayan authorities in the application of the recommendations of the observation mission.“
Renate Weber will meet over these days with the Superior Tribunal of Electoral Justice, as well as with national authorities, candidates of the different political parties, formations, alliances and political movements that attend the elections, civil society organisations and representatives of the Paraguayan media to know first-hand the details of the electoral process.
The Head of Mission is a member of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) of the European Parliament and has extensive experience in election observation, having participated as head of mission in the European Union missions in Bolivia (2008 and 2009), Burundi (2010) and Peru (2016 and Electoral Follow-up Mission of 2017). In Paraguay, Renate Weber led the Election Observation Mission for the 2013 general elections and the Electoral Monitoring Mission of 2015.
The Mission headed by Renate Weber is made up of a central team based in Asunción formed by the Deputy Head of Mission, Tania Marques, and a team of seven experts who analyse the electoral process from different perspectives: political environment, legal and electoral framework, financing of the electoral campaign, media and data analysis. In addition, 24 long-term observers carry out a detailed monitoring of the electoral process in all the departments of the country since March 23. Another 34 short-term observers will join the observation contingent a few days before the election, as well as a delegation of deputies from the European Parliament.
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For further information, please contact:
Ms SILVIA de FÉLIX
Press and Public Outreach Officer
Tel: (+595) 983 125 596
silvia.defelix@eomparaguay2018.eu
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