OSCE Mission to Skopje supports conference on role of political parties in electoral process

SKOPJE, 30 November 2012 – Raising awareness on the role of political parties in the electoral process is the aim of an OSCE-supported conference that started in Skopje today.

The event, organized by the OSCE Mission to Skopje, in co-operation with the OSCE’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), will provide a platform for the main political parties in the country, to discuss their understanding of the OSCE commitments for democratic elections and the main challenges to their implementation.

“Political parties are essential actors, a cornerstone of the democratic process. There is no democracy without elections, and there are no elections without political parties, and the latter have an important function in promoting dialogue and encouraging the participation of society in political life,” said the Head of OSCE Mission to Skopje, Ambassador Ralf Breth.

At the conference, representatives of political parties, international experts and ODIHR representatives will also discuss the OSCE/ODIHR recommendations made to the host country after its observation of the early parliamentary elections in 2011.

Parliament Speaker Trajko Veljanovski added: “Such events are a great opportunity to openly discuss the role of the main political parties in the country as key promoters of democratic values, bridges between citizens and institutions and as shapers of political culture. This event also reaffirms the need for raising awareness on the key role of political parties in ensuring successful electoral process in a pluralistic and competitive society.”