The European Union reiterated this Thursday the urgency for Haiti to hold "credible, transparent and democratic" elections, after the electoral authorities of the Caribbean country decided to postpone until July 18, 2027 the first round of the presidential and legislative elections, which were initially set for December of this year, in the midst of the worsening security crisis.
The European External Action Service (EEAS) stressed in a statement that "Credible, transparent and democratic elections are essential to guarantee institutional legitimacy" and assured that it is closely following the latest steps taken in the preparation of the electoral process in Haiti, reiterating its support for the holding of the elections.
In this context, the community diplomacy has applauded the decision of the United Nations Security Council to extend until March 31, 2027 the mandate of the Gang Suppression Force (FSB), to which it attributes a "fundamental" role in strengthening the security conditions indispensable to be able to go to the polls.
Brussels has also shown its recognition to the States that contribute personnel to said international force and has expressed its support for El Salvador in the face of the disappearance of Salvadoran military personnel deployed on the ground.
The Union has likewise recalled that there are "various international sanction regimes", among them a European instrument directed against those responsible for "threatening the peace, stability or security of Haiti" or for "undermining democracy and the rule of law".
The position of the Twenty-Seven comes after the presentation by the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) of a new calendar that delays the first round of the elections from December 13, 2026 to July 18, 2027, while a possible second round would be held on October 4 of the same year.
According to the CEP, this update of the schedule aims to "favor the continuity of electoral operations under conditions that allow the actors involved to fulfill their obligations in accordance with what is established in the legal framework". Despite the new delay, the body has reiterated its determination to carry forward the process "with professionalism and rigor" to ensure elections that are "inclusive, credible and transparent".