Brok: Commission and European Council must raise controversial Duma elections at EU-Russia Summit tomorrow

Following reports of electoral fraud during the Russian parliamentary elections of 4 December, the European Parliament has called for free and fair elections in Russia, with all opposition parties allowed to participate. In a Resolution negotiated by the EPP Group, adopted by a large majority today, MEPs heavily criticised the actions of Russian security forces against peaceful demonstrators.

"Russia's government must allow an independent investigation into the Duma elections of 4 December. The OSCE election observers clearly stated that Russia has violated European standards of free and fair elections", the EPP Group's Spokesman on Foreign Affairs, Elmar Brok MEP said.

The European Parliament asked the European Commission and the European Council to raise the controversial elections at the EU-Russia Summit tomorrow, Thursday 15 December.

Elmar Brok also demanded democratic standards to be respected in the upcoming Presidential elections in Russia: "All opposition candidates must be admitted to the Presidential elections in March 2012, and the Russian government must commit to free and fair elections." This also includes the equal use of all media.

(Translation from the original German)

For further information:

Elmar BROK MEP, Tel: +33-3-88-177323

Lasse Böhm, EPP Group Press and Communications Service, Tel: +32-484-656897