ALDE have hailed as "significant " the resolution adopted in the European Parliament in Strasbourg today clearly demanding that new elections are held in Russia. ALDE have been consistently active in pushing the European Parliament to adopt a tougher stance on the lack of democracy in Russia.
Guy Verhofstadt , ALDE leader said "Today, Parliament sends a clear message. We stand behind the Russian people in support of their calls to get back their votes, their choice, their democracy. The European Parliament calls for the annulment of the December 4, 2011 election results and asks for a new, free and fair election which includes the participation of all opposition parties. EU Council President Van Rompuy and President Barroso should make Parliament's resolution their brief before the EU-Russia Summit."
Kristina Ojuland, ALDE Spokesperson on Russia added: "State Duma elections were not free and not fair. The EU-Russia Summit should focus on this and make it clear that you can not build partnership on a wrecked foundation. Russia has made commitments to the Council of Europe and OSCE - that must be respected. We call again for the EU to introduce sanctions on the people that were involved in the torture and death of lawyer Sergey Magnitsky. The time is ripe to follow the example of the US, UK and the Netherlands and introduce EU wide sanctions. "
Guy Verhofstadt invited Mikahail Kasyanov to Strasbourg to hear the debate on Russia. Mikhail Kasyanov, former Russian Prime Minister and leader of the People for Democracy and Justice political party, which was banned from taking part in the Duma elections in Russia concluded "We appreciate very much the solidarity demonstrated today by the European Parliament, solidarity with the Russian people, who demand respect for their right to free and fair elections. The call of the European Parliament for new, free and fair elections with prior registration of all opposition parties, is a very clear message to Russian authorities to respect their international obligations."
