“Colleagues, as we have adopted
the statement on inadmissibility of foreign interference in the electoral
process of the member states of the Organization, it would be right to continue
our discussion on this issue, to discuss it at the meeting of the Parliamentary
Assembly to define standards,” said Viacheslav Volodin
Vyacheslav Victorovich
The Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation of the eighth convocation. Elected in single mandate constituency № 163 (Saratov constituency - Saratov Oblast)
to the participants of the CSTO PA Council meeting.
“We follow them. But we should demonstrate these standards to those who are trying to monitor us,” he stressed.
“If we take as an example any elections to our various governmental structures, and that is usually a direct expression of the will of citizens, at different levels. And when we compare it with elections in other countries, where the procedures are connected with the electors, it is clear that there is a different level of democracy,” said Viacheslav Volodin.
The Chairman of the State Duma noted the necessity to take into account the legislation of sovereign states. “Our approaches are based on traditions, culture and have been formed over a long time”, he said.
“The mandates of international organizations are issued to monitor the implementation of national legislations, but then a foreign observer comes and begins to promote his/her own agenda, politicize the processes and give biased assessments,” said Viacheslav Volodin.
He drew attention to the double standards in issues of human rights protection. Vyacheslav Volodin recalled that dogs, rubber bullets, gas, water cannons, even in winter, were used in European states to break up demonstrations.
“All those things are not used in Russia, and they still condemn us,” said the Chairman of the State Duma.
He also recalled the situation with the US presidential elections: “80% voted by mail. There was no control, there were no observers either from European states or our representatives. There were many criticisms”. At the same time, those protestors who came to the Capitol were declared internal terrorists and they could spend up to 25 years in prison.
“Thus, when they talk about standards and make claims to our countries, they should start with themselves,” stressed Viacheslav Volodin.
