Brasilia, 13 April 2022 (TDI): The election authority of Brazil has invited European Union officials to observe its upcoming elections. This is the first time Brazil has invited the EU to monitor its elections.
The purpose of the invitation to the EU is “to amplify the transparency of its electoral system and make cooperation possible”. Furthermore, the electoral authority of Brazil is also in talks with other organizations that have monitored its elections.
International organizations such as the Organization of American States (OAS) and the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP) have previously monitored elections.
Moreover, it also contacted the Carter Center, a US-based NGO to observe the elections. The EU will decide whether and how to accept the invitation. It will send a delegation to Brazil in May to assess the viability of being an official observer for the election.
European Commission Vice-President, Josep Borrell replied last month thanking the TSE for the invitation. The EU has to consult the bloc’s 27 member states and the European Parliament regarding the invitation.
October Election
This year, Brazil will hold national elections for the executive office. Meanwhile, President Jair Bolsonaro leads the country. He was elected as the President in the 2018 elections and assumed office in January 2019.
This year, Jair Bolsonaro is seeking re-election. His major rival is the former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. President Jair Bolsonaro made claims of fraud and questioned the validity of Brazil’s electronic voting system after the regional elections in 2020.
In addition, the President has been criticized for his handling of the Covid-19 pandemic and for his far-right views.
Brazil-EU Relations
Brazil and the European Union established a strategic partnership in 2007. Both entities have close cultural, social, economic, and political ties.
In addition, the EU is Brazil’s leading economic partner. Trade with the EU represented 18.3% of Brazil’s total trade in 2017.
Moreover, Brazil shares a 673 km border with the EU. It has a border with French Guiana, a French overseas department, which is a part of the EU.
