EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 88/160

(2004/C 88 E/0169)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3958/03

by José Ribeiro e Castro (UEN) to the Commission

(5 January 2004)

Subject: Russia — parliamentary elections

According to media reports the international observers who were present at the recent parliamentary elections in Russia — in particular the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the Council of Europe, which despatched 600 observers — expressed concern at the outcome and the methods used during the election campaign. Although they do not doubt that the elections were free, they question whether they were fair.

According to the preliminary results the United Russia (UR) party (which is pro-Kremlin and an ally of the President, Vladimir Putin) was the major victor in the elections.

The UR won approximately 37 % of the votes for the seats in the Duma (the lower parliamentary chamber). Vladimir Zhirinovski's LDP secured approximately 12 % of the votes and has followed in third place by the ultra-nationalist Motherland party (formed some months ago with the Kremlin's support), which was fighting its first election and which secured 9 % of the vote.

David Atkinson (leader of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly observer team) explained to journalists that, throughout the entire campaign, public funds (i.e. taxpayers' contributions) and public television were placed at the disposal of certain political groups, which led the observers to deem the election ‘free, but manifestly unfair’.

Acknowledging that there had been ‘an unfair for the other parties and candidates’ and emphasising that the vote ‘failed to meet international standards’, the chairman of the OSCE, Bruce George, stated that ‘in this election the enormous advantage of incumbency and access to state equipment, resources and buildings led to the election result being overwhelmingly distorted’. This constituted ‘regression in the dsmocratisation process in Russia’.

In view of the above, would the Commission answer the following questions?

— What information does the Commission hold regarding the fairness and the freedom of the electoral procedure in Russia?

— In view of the concerns expressed by observers and opposition parties, what action has the Commission taken (or is it intending to take) vis-à-vis the Russian authorities?

— What effect does the Commission believe the above criticisms may have on Moscow's efforts to gain international credibility?

— To what extent may relations between the EU and Russia be affected?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(9 February 2004)

The Commission has taken note of the preliminary findings of the International Election Observation Mission, which state that the Duma elections on 7 December 2003 failed to meet many Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and Council of Europe commitments for democratic elections. The preliminary findings indicate that important safeguards were not enforced by the Russian authorities.

The Commission is concerned at these findings. Respect for democratic principles and for human rights, including media freedom, forms the basis for EU/Russia relations. The Commission has therefore used the occasion of its political dialogue with the Russian authorities to call for these failings to be tackled and for Presidential elections in March 2004 to respect Russia's commitments to hold elections in line with international standards.

The Commission stresses the need for Russia to continue both political and economic reforms. It hopes that the new Duma will demonstrate its readiness to engage in such reforms in a constructive manner, which will in turn positively influence EU/Russia relations.