[31] Cyprus, Poland and Romania adopted new legislation; The Czech Republic, Hungary, Lithuania, Slovakia and Slovenia announced amendments of their legislation due to enter into force in time for the 2014 European elections; Bulgaria and Malta have recently adopted new legislation which is currently under analysis; Estonia and Latvia provided satisfactory explanations as regards the conformity of its legislation with EU law.

7. Notes the results of the parliamentary elections in Ukraine; reaffirms its condemnation of the trial against the Communist Party, which started during the election campaign; invites the newly elected parliament and the relevant authorities to address the shortcomings identified by, inter alia, conducting effective investigations into the irregularities identified by national and international monitors during the elections, proceeding with the necessary legal actions against those responsible for irregularities during the elections, reforming the electoral system by improving regional representation and increasing voters’ influence o ...[+++]ver their representatives in parliament by adopting a multi-constituency proportional representation system, fully implement the recommendations of both the OSCE and the Venice Commission in order to reinforce transparency in the financing of political parties and election campaigns, and ensuring that the elections legislation is in line with international standards;

12. Calls upon the Georgian authorities to reform the country's election legislation in line with the recommendations of the OSCE/ODIHR and the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe; welcomes the lowering of the election threshold from 7 to 5%;

G. whereas the Joint Recommendations by OSCE/ODIHR and the Council of Europe's Venice Commission on possible improvements to election legislation and electoral administration have not been fully implemented so far,

B. whereas Ukraine recently adopted a new package of election legislation and whereas the new election laws reflect a number of important recommendations made by the OSCE/ODHIR,

In the case of elections, good governance requires an appropriate legislative and regulatory framework and a transparent and accountable election administration, in particular independent supervision and monitoring, that ensures respect for the rule of law.