The Russian elections at the end of September were, according to the European Parliament, neither free nor fair. The new State Duma is therefore not recognized as a legitimate representative body. The resolution was adopted in Strasbourg with 482 votes in favor, 41 against, and 39 abstentions.
Electoral fraud
According to the MEPs, genuine opposition candidates, independent media, and reliable election observers were absent. Opponents of President Vladimir Putin were imprisoned, murdered, or forced to leave Russia. The Parliament speaks of large-scale electoral fraud and a deliberate destruction of the remaining democratic freedoms.
Furthermore, the MEPs condemn the Russian elections held in occupied parts of Ukraine, Georgia, and Moldova. They also call for tougher EU sanctions against Russian judges, prosecutors, election officials, and others responsible for political repression. At the same time, they want to continue supporting the Russian democratic opposition. They also oppose the normalization of Russian participation in international sporting and cultural events.
Promotion
Georgian Dream
In a separate resolution, the European Parliament condemns the attempt by the Georgian ruling party Georgian Dream to dissolve five opposition parties. The government has filed a lawsuit with the Constitutional Court to this end. The MEPs demand that this procedure be immediately withdrawn. In the capital Tbilisi, pro-democracy demonstrators have been protesting almost daily for more than a year against the repression.
According to the Parliament, eliminating political opponents moves Georgia further away from EU membership. The measures against the opposition, according to the MEPs, contravene the democratic principles that candidate countries must meet. This further puts Georgia's European future under pressure.
EU lies
The resolution on Georgia was adopted with 445 votes in favor and 37 against. The Parliament also condemns the pressure on independent journalists and civil society organizations. Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze rejects the accusations. He says the European Parliament spreads lies and unnecessarily interferes with Georgian justice.