The European Union, alongside several other international partners, announced that they welcome the holding of the 7th General Elections in the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, which took place on June 1, 2026. It was indicated that this joint local statement showcases a unified front comprising the Delegation of the European Union to Ethiopia and the diplomatic missions of twenty-two EU Member States.
It has been understood that the participating European countries listed in the statement are Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden.
Demonstrating the wide-reaching international interest in Ethiopia’s democratic process, the diplomatic missions of Canada, Norway, and Switzerland also co-signed the statement. This international coalition expressed its strong support for the institutions and individuals who facilitated the voting process across the nation.
Specifically, the statement commended the extensive efforts of the National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) and the thousands of dedicated election workers deployed at polling stations.
Furthermore, the diplomatic missions recognized the significant contributions of the political parties and individual candidates who participated in the democratic contest, as well as civil society actors who worked to enhance civic engagement and monitor the electoral environment.
The signatories also highlighted the critical role played by regional observation bodies present on election day, acknowledging the contributions of the African Union (AU) and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), while noting that they look forward to reviewing the comprehensive reports from these observer missions to better understand the overall conduct and fairness of the election.
While the statement was largely positive regarding the execution of the June 1 polls, it also raised an important issue that still requires attention for the country’s democratic journey.
Recognizing that the voting process could be disrupted in certain areas due to various reasons, the coalition put forward a forward-looking appeal to ensure that the full right to vote is guaranteed.
The partners concluded their statement by expressing their collective hope that all citizens in the remaining Ethiopian constituencies who were unable to vote on June 1 will be given the opportunity to cast their ballots in the near future, ensuring that no citizen is left without a voice.
