The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, on behalf of the EU on Monday 20 September criticised the repression of critical and independent voices in the Russian parliamentary, regional, and local elections of 17-19 September.
Out of more than 99% of the votes counted, the United Russia party won almost 50% of the votes in the parliamentary elections, ahead of the Communist party (with 19.41% of the votes).
Considering that the Russian decision to severely limit the size and format of an OSCE/ODIHR international election mission had prevented its deployment, the EU took note of independent and reliable sources reporting “serious violations”.
“In the run-up to the elections, there was an increased crackdown on opposition politicians, civil society organisations and independent media outlets, as well as journalists. This resulted in the limitation of the choice for Russian voters and their ability to get full and accurate information about candidates”, the High Representative expressed concern.
In front of the press, his spokesperson, Peter Stano, said that “the elections took place in an atmosphere of intimidation of critical and independent voices”.
The High Representative called on Russia to respect its commitments in the framework of the UN, OSCE, and the Council of Europe to protect human rights and democratic values.
The EU also recalled that it did not recognise the elections in Crimea and Sevastopol and denounced the participation of residents of the territories not controlled by the Ukrainian government as contrary to the spirit and objectives of the Minsk agreements.
While the European Parliament had called on the EU on Thursday 16 September not to recognise the elections if they were considered fraudulent and conducted in violation of democratic principles and international law (see EUROPE 12792/8), Mr Stano recalled that only Member States could recognise or not recognise an election. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)