Brussels, Belgium - The European Union (EU) has expressed satisfaction with Sunday's Constituent Assembly elections in Tunisia. In a statement made available to journalists in Brussels, the EU said the transition authorities had established 'free and transparent' electoral process and that the country's legislation offered an appropriate framework for 'free elections that meet the international norms'.

The head of the European electoral observation mission, Michael Gahler, said only a few breaches were observed during the elections, while highlighting the high level of participation and the decisive role played by the media which, according to him, carried out 'a balanced media coverage.'

The EU said the elections marked an 'important step towards democracy, which began nine months after the fall of Ben Ali's regime'.

Pana 28/10/2011