“The European Parliament included
in the draft agenda of the autumn session the issue related to the report
prepared by the Foreign Affairs Committee, with a recommendation to the European
authorities not to recognize the legitimacy of the elections to the State Duma
and significant “conclusions” on Russia's further membership in international
parliamentary organizations,” said Leonid Slutskiy
Leonid Eduardovich
.
He added that the issue was planned to be reviewed on September 14.
“That is only three days before voting begins in Russia. It seems like the members of the European Parliament do not care a lot that they have jumped the gun, as they are already ready to provide their assessments in advance, without any results of the monitoring missions,” said the Chairman of the Committee.
He also recalled that earlier the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights had made a decision not to send a delegation of observers to the elections in Russia. “And there was such a decision, as we remember, it was made just for show, absolutely groundlessly and in line with the double standards policy,” the parliamentarian stressed.
In his opinion, the decision of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe to send only five observers to Russia, while 10 persons were invited, caused surprise. “This is not a full election observation mission, it looks more like an assessment mission,” stressed the parliamentarian.
“Nevertheless, we hope that observers-representatives of the national parliaments of foreign states and inter-parliamentary organizations, as both chambers of the Federal Assembly had sent invitations to them, will come to Russia and monitor the elections. We count on independent, non-Russophobic attitude, and unbiased assessments, as the election campaign is being conducted in accordance with all democratic standards, transparently and honestly,” said Leonid Slutskiy.
“And all calls not to recognize the legitimacy of the new convocation of the State Duma, especially those that were announced in advance, should be considered as interference in Russia’s internal affairs. And we will not allow any foreign forces to influence the elections or try to exploit the situation,” concluded the parliamentarian.
