Germany wants a participatory election in BD

Germany expects Bangladesh’s next national election to be free, fair, credible and participatory, its ambassador said on Wednesday.

German Ambassador Dr Rüdiger Lotz said this while speaking at a DCAB Talk organised by the Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh at the National Press Club

He said, Berlin wants to see an election that meets democratic standards and draws strong voter turnout.

“We expect the election to be free, fair, credible and participatory. We also hope to see high voter turnout,” he added.

“The chief adviser has said turnout may reach 60 percent — we share that expectation. We also hope political violence stays low during the campaign period," he said.

Lotz hinted that the Airbus decision could impact the European Union’s decision on allowing Bangladesh to maintain its Generalised System of Preferences Plus (GSP+) status for trade.

“The Airbus question -- whether it will have implications on our trade relations -- of course it would. Of course it would,” Lotz said.

“As I said, we are Bangladesh’s most important trading partner. We have a feeling that we have been treated in such a way that we can conduct bilateral relations. I think there needs to be a trust factor in trade relations.

Ambassador Lotz acknowledged that Bangladesh’s decision would have consequences, saying: “In personal or business life, any decision carries outcomes. If you ask me whether it will have an impact? Yes, it will.”

Backtracking on Airbus purchases will impact Bangladesh’s trade relations with Europe, says German ambassador.

DCAB President AKM Moinuddin chaired the event, while General Secretary Arifuzzaman Mamun also spoke at the event.

Hours after Lotz suggested that abandoning the Airbus commitment could influence trade, Touhid said he does not think the relationship depends on a commercial deal.

Airbus, the France-based manufacturer, has been attempting to sell aircraft to state-flagged Biman Bangladesh Airlines since the tenure of the ousted Awami League government.

In September 2023, during a visit to Dhaka, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that former prime minister Sheikh Hasina had committed to purchasing 10 large aircraft -- eight passenger and two cargo planes.