Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 May 2024
7. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 52 of 14 February 2024, if Irish election monitors observed the 2023 Turkish general election; the related findings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22059/24]
View answerThe Department of Foreign Affairs maintains and administers a voluntary roster of suitably skilled and vetted individuals who are available to participate at short notice in election observation missions organised by the European Union and the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). Ireland's current five-year international Election Observation Roster was established on 1 January 2024 and has 173 members. Six members of Ireland's international Election Observation Roster participated in the OSCE election observation mission to Türkiye during April and May 2023.
The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) concluded that Türkiye’s 2023 general elections offered voters a choice between genuine political alternatives and that voter participation was high. However, it found that the incumbent President and the ruling parties enjoyed an unjustified advantage, including through biased media coverage. The OSCE noted continued restrictions on fundamental freedoms of assembly, association and expression, which hindered the participation of some opposition politicians and parties, civil society and independent media in the election process. While the OSCE found the campaign to be competitive and largely free for most contestants, it stated that it was characterised by intense polarisation and harsh rhetoric.
The Final Report, which includes a number of recommendations for Türkiye’s consideration, is available on the OSCE website at: www.osce.org/files/f/documents/1/f/553966.pdf
