A delegation from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) is to visit Turkey in early May to observe the pre-election atmosphere. PACE rapporteur Josette Durrieu will begin her observations today, while the delegation is to be in Ankara a month before the 7 June elections on 5 and 6 May.

The delegation is expected to meet the speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM), the Interior Minister and Turkish members of PACE in addition to representatives of the main parties contesting the elections.

The delegation will also meet the president of the High Election Council (YSK), the chair of the Radio and TV regulator (RTÜK), the media, NGOs and diplomatic circles.

A larger PACE delegation of 32 deputies will be in Turkey to observe the election itself.

The first delegation will comprise Tim Kox (Delegation chair and member of Greens), Melita Mulic (Croatian socialist), Volodymyr Ariev (Ukraine), Ingeborg Godskesen (Norway), Andrea Rigoni (Italy) and Josette Durrieu (PACE rapporteur).

French rapporteur in Turkey from today

The French PACE rapporteur Josette Durrieu will be in Ankara today and will hold a series of meetings. She will also meet leaders of Christian communities in Istanbul, representatives of the Alevi community and NGOs.

On 2 and 3 May Durrieu will go to Urfa and Suruç and speak to state officials and AFAD administrators, human rights organisations and representatives of the media.

Josette Durrieu is also scheduled to meet members of the government involved in Imrali talks, ministers and the HDP delegation on 4 May.