‘A complete sham’: European Parliament condemns Russia’s September elections and refuses to recognize its new lower house as legitimate

The European Parliament adopted a resolution rejecting the results of Russia’s State Duma elections. It says the vote was a “sham” held in an atmosphere of fear amid Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

The resolution passed with 482 votes in favor, 41 against, and 39 abstentions.

The European Parliament said the elections offered voters no genuine alternative candidates and lacked free media and “credible” observers. It also said all critics of the Russian authorities have been imprisoned, killed, or forced into exile.

Members of the European Parliament refused to recognize the newly elected State Duma as Russia’s legitimate legislature and called on EU countries to end official contacts with Russian lawmakers. They also opposed normalizing Russia’s participation in international sporting and cultural events.

The resolution calls for “continued” support for Russian democratic forces that openly oppose the war against Ukraine. The lawmakers said EU relations with Russia could return to normal only if Moscow restored Ukraine’s territorial integrity, released prisoners of war, and paid reparations, among other requirements.

According to The Insider, those who voted against the resolution included German lawmaker Petr Bystron, who has been accused of ties to Russia; Slovak politician Ľuboš Blaha, who met with Sergei Naryshkin, the head of Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service; and Czech lawmaker Ondřej Dostál, who visited Moscow at the invitation of a Russian foundation linked to Russia’s military intelligence agency, the GRU.