Brussels, 16/06/2011 (Agence Europe) - Experts and MEPs are concerned about the lack of “democratic guarantees” given to date by the Russian authorities ahead of the Russian general elections (Duma renewal), scheduled to be held in December 2011. This was the conclusion reached at a public hearing organised by the European Parliament (EP) foreign affairs committee on Wednesday 14 June, in Brussels. “The OSCE has not yet been invited to monitor elections. Considerable pressure has been put on all election observers, journalists' identity cards have been confiscated and opposition parties are not represented in the electoral commission”, deplored Lilia Shibanova, who is executive director of GOLOS, a Russian association for the protection of voters' rights and the promotion of civil society in Russia. Hannes Swoboda (S&D, Austria), who is also rapporteur for talks in progress on a new EU-Russia partnership agreement, asked to what extent democracy had really developed in Russia. “Democratic elections are synonymous with real and free competition. Is that the case for the next elections?”, he asked. The head of the EU-Russia centre, Fraser Cameron, cited by the EP press service, gave a clear response, saying: “There is no chance of these elections being free”. Mikhail Kasyanov, who is co-leader of the opposition party, People's Freedom, spoke of the difficulties experienced by political parties with regard to registering for elections at the Duma, underlining that the political situation was growing worse. “We do not believe in the process. The constitution sets out obligations and duties, but these have been breached by the government. Medvedev promised changes three years ago but they have remained a dead letter. They were just fine words”, he said. Werner Schulz (Greens/EFA, Germany) expressed concern regarding the public's inability to overcome its apathy. The thing that is particularly dangerous is that Russians do not believe in change, Cameron said. Kasyanov also commented that Russians are not always willing to fight for their democratic rights. “Demonstrating in the street is not part of our culture. According to poll results, it is even possible for extremely nationalist parties to win 12% of the votes”, he warned. Last week, after the EU-Russia summit in Nijni Novgorod (see EUROPE 10396), the president of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy, had underlined that the EU would monitor the December 2011 ballot very closely. He had also encouraged Moscow to invite the OSCE to act as observer at the elections. “The upcoming elections in Russia in December and in March next year are going to be an issue of high interest in Europe. Respect for the international obligations and political pluralism will be key in this respect. I expressed my hope that Russia will cooperate with the ODIHR and early on extend to them an invitation to monitor these elections”, he had asserted. (H.B./transl.jl)