Trump administration rejects OSCE observers in midterm elections
The administration of US President Donald Trump did not invite observers from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to the midterm elections. This is the first precedent since 2002, when representatives of the OSCE began to monitor on a permanent basis all federal elections in the United States, reports MS NOW.
The administration of US President Donald Trump did not invite observers from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to the midterm elections. This is the first precedent since 2002, when representatives of the OSCE began to monitor on a permanent basis all federal elections in the United States, reports MS NOW.
The decision stems from concerns about election interference. A State Department official told CNN that the OSCE "must focus its limited resources on elections where it can have the greatest impact." In the United States, observers from the Department of Justice are expected to watch the election.
In a statement, the OSCE commented that the Trump administration’s decision was “not consistent” with existing U.S. commitments to other OSCE participating States, under which participating States agreed to invite observers to their elections. The OSCE also called the US decision "regrettable.".
Vlad Nikiforov
