Fabio Bargiacchi's contribution to the EU Electoral Support chapter of the 2010 Making Peace Last publication.

 

 

Making Peace Last, The EU’s Contribution to Peacebuilding, 2010 (ENG) 

Foreword: Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Vice-President of the European Commission
Contributors: Catherine Ashton, Steven Blockmans, Jan Wouters, Tom Ruys, Simon Duke, Aurélie Courtier, Nathalie Tocci, Catriona Gourlay, Stefano Tomat, Cesare Onestini, Koen Vervaeke, David Galbreath, David Spence, Marta Martinelli, Cees Wittebrood, Christophe Gadrey, Michael Merlingen, Rasa Ostrauskaite, Eva Gross, Patrick Dupont, Francesco Torcoli, Fabio Bargiacchi, Hadewych Hazelzet, Stephan Keukeleire, Robin Thiers, Justin Davies, Thomas Unger, Tonny Brems Knudsen, Christian Axboe Nielsen, Michael Humphreys, Jasna Jelisic, Philippe Darmuzey, Stéphane Chardon

 

Chapter XIII: EU Electoral Support - Patrick Dupont, Francesco Torcoli and Fabio Bargiacchi.


Elections play a vital role in democratic and democratisation processes. Elections represent a crucial opportunity for political participation and representation and also for holding elected officials to account. Moreover, elections provide important entry points for the enjoyment of a wide range of human rights, such as freedom of expression, assembly and association. Elections aim to bring about legitimate governments that are able to protect and respond to the needs of citizens, including sustainable peace and development. Confirming the EU's external policy objectives in the area of democracy and human rights, notably since the early 1990s, the EU has evolved into an active player in the promotion of sustainable, transparent and genuinely democratic elections. This article will illustrate the increased activity, both quantitatively and qualitatively, of the EU in election support in particular over the past ten years, often within a broader governance enhancement strategy and complementing other, civil society support and institution building actions.