The European Parliament adopted a resolution today  on the preparations for the Russian Sate Duma elections in December this year.   Nine political parties have been refused the chance to participate in these elections making the forthcoming elections a state managed campaign between Kremlin friendly parties.  The ALDE Group urges the EU to put pressure on the Russian authorities to reconsider their decision to ban opposition party registration.

Guy Verhofstadt, leader of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE)  stated "The Duma elections are in 4 months time and we are repeating history by not taking this more seriously.   It is time the EU steps up pressure on the Russian authorities. We must not shut our eyes to what is happening but persuade the Russian Ministry of Justice to reverse its decision and allow for wider participation in the democratic process.  We call on the EU High Representative to engage with the Russian authorities so that they allow a long term OSCE observation mission."
 
Kristiina Ojuland (Estonian Reform, Estonia) ALDE spokesperson on Russia, "The European Parliament has adopted 3 resolutions on Russia in the last 6 months.  This is something of a record. The European Union needs to send an unequivocal message to Russia that the illegal banning of legitimate parties from elections will not be tolerated".
 
Mikhail Kasyanov and  Boris Nemstov, Leaders of the People's Freedom Party (PARNAS) were invited by the ALDE group to the European Parliament in  Strasbourg this week for the debate. Speaking at a press conference they warned that the current policy of the Russian elite is paving the way for a Russian Spring similar to the uprisings spreading through Arab countries,  "Russian people do not seek another revolution but freedom ultimately cannot be denied."