The Syrian president Bashar al-Assad he was re-elected, as expected, with 95.1% of the votes: this is the fourth term for the president, in power since 2000 when he succeeded his father Hafez who in turn had been in office for 30 years. The result was obtained with elections in the regions that are under government control, in a country in full economic turmoil after a decade of war. In a press conference, Parliament President Hammoud Sabbagha announced that 14.2 million voters out of a total of 18.1 voted, with an attendance rate of 76.64% and a favorable result for Assad of 95.1. %.
The vote had been heavily criticized by the United States, the United Kingdom and the European Union who in a joint statement defined the elections as “neither free and not fair”, due to the absence of real opposition and checks on the voting process. “We support the voices of all Syrians, including civil society organizations and the Syrian opposition, who have condemned the electoral process as illegitimate,” said the US, UK and EU.
“The elections that took place in Syria did not meet any of the criteria for a truly democratic vote, do not contribute to the solution of the conflict, “said EU High Representative for Foreign Policy, Josep Borrell.” Elections in Syria should only take place within the framework of a genuine political process, in line with Council Resolution 2254 of UN security. They can only be credible if all Syrians, including IDPs, refugees and members of the diaspora, are able to participate in a safe and neutral environment without threats of intimidation and in free and fair political competition, “added Borrell. “The elections undermine efforts to find one sustainable solution to the Syrian conflict. They cannot lead to any measure of international normalization with the Syrian regime. “” The political process must be fully inclusive to ensure that all segments of Syrian society are involved in shaping the country’s future unity and reconciliation, “he concluded. High Representative.
The response of the Syrian president Bashar al-Assad it was not long in coming: “Your opinions have no value,” he said. The criticisms of the West are worth “zero”.