MEPs Urge Russia to Hold Brand-New Elections

Russian policemen detain a participant of a protest rally against alleged vote rigging in the center of Moscow, Russia, 07 December 2011. EPA/BGNES

The European Parliament has called for "new free and fair elections" in Russia, amidst various report of election fraud during the December 4 parliamentary elections that gave a contested win to Vladimir Putin and Dmitry Medvedev's ruling United Russia party.

In a resolution adopted Wednesday, the EP also calls for "an immediate and full investigation of all reports of fraud and intimidation in the Russian elections".

The MEPs stress that the running of the election showed that Russia does not meet election standards as defined by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), and express deep concern about reports of fraud and the preliminary findings of the OSCE/ODIHR report on procedural violations, lack of media impartiality, harassment of independent monitors and lack of separation between party and state.

The resolution underlines that the registration process led to the exclusion of several opposition parties and has seriously undermined freedom of association, political competition and pluralism from the beginning, said the press service of the European Parliament, adding that the MEPs are calling "for new free and fair elections to be held after registration of all opposition parties."

The MEPs welcome the demonstrations in Russia "as an expression of the will of the Russian people for more democracy and condemn the crackdown by the police on peaceful demonstrations. Parliament calls for an immediate and full investigation of all reports of fraud and intimidation, and penalties for those found responsible."

The Parliament urges the President of the European Council, the President of the Commission and the EU foreign policy High Representative to raise the issue of the elections at the EU-Russia summit to be held on 15 December.

The MEPs reiterate their concern about the human rights situation in Russia and the lack of rule of law and an independent judiciary.

The resolution calls on the EU and Russia to speed up negotiations for a new Partnership and Cooperation Agreement. Parliament favours a legally-binding agreement that includes all areas related to democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights.

The resolution also stresses the importance of stepping up the energy partnership with Russia, and reiterates that the supply of natural resources must not be used as a political tool.

Finally, the EP stresses that international challenges, in particular with regard to Syria and Iran, cannot be solved without a coordinated approach which includes Russia.

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