On Russia’s undemocratic presidential elections and their illegitimate extension to the occupied territories
B-9-2024-0259
on behalf of the ECR Group · Rapporteur: Anna Fotyga, Ryszard Czarnecki, Assita Kanko, Witold Jan Waszczykowski, Adam Bielan, Charlie Weimers, Anna Zalewska, Patryk Jaki, Hermann Tertsch, Beata Mazurek, Bogdan Rzońca, Elżbieta Rafalska, Andżelika Anna Możdżanowska
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This resolution condemns Russia's presidential election as a sham and its extension to occupied territories, and calls on the EU not to recognize Vladimir Putin as president after his term expires on 7 May 2024.¶ It also condemns the murder of Alexei Navalny, calls for an international investigation, and urges stronger support for Ukraine's victory and for Russian dissidents.¶¶¶ The resolution demands the release of political prisoners, sanctions for those involved in the illegal election, and accountability for crimes, while advocating for Russia's de-imperialisation and decolonisation.¶¶¶
Key points
- Condemns the sham election in Russia and occupied territories, and encourages the EU and Member States not to recognise Vladimir Putin as president after his term expires on 7 May 2024.¶
- Condemns the murder of Alexei Navalny, expresses sympathy to his family, and calls for an international investigation into his death.¶
- Calls on the international community to contribute more strongly to Ukraine's victory, as internal changes in Russia depend on the war's outcome.¶
- Expresses solidarity with Russians who protested the election, and commends those who oppose Putin's regime by joining Ukrainian forces in the Freedom of Russia Legion, Russian Volunteer Corps, and Sibir Battalion.¶
- Is concerned that the election outcome may be used to instigate a general mobilisation for the war in Ukraine.¶
- Reiterates calls for accountability for Navalny's assassins and other human rights violators, welcomes US sanctions, and invites the EU to coordinate a response.¶
- Calls on Russia to release all political prisoners, expresses solidarity with dissidents, and calls for targeted sanctions against those who conducted the illegal election in occupied territories.¶
- States that permanent changes in Russia require de-imperialisation, decolonisation, and re-federalisation, with a break from its imperial past.¶
- Urges the international community to ensure accountability for crimes committed by the regime on Russian, EU, and worldwide territory.¶
- Reiterates EU solidarity with Russian civil society, encourages use of the European human rights violations sanctions regime, and coordination with partners like the G7.¶
Who is affected
- Vladimir Putin and the Russian regime: not to be recognised as president after 7 May 2024.¶
- Russian political prisoners and dissidents: release and solidarity.¶
- Russians opposing the regime, including those in the Freedom of Russia Legion, RVC, and Sibir Battalion: commended.¶
- EU and Member States: encouraged not to recognise Putin and to coordinate sanctions.¶¶
- International community: urged to contribute to Ukraine's victory and ensure accountability.¶¶
Figures and deadlines
- 7 May 2024: date when Putin's current term expires.¶
- 87 % of the vote: claimed electoral victory percentage.¶
- 85 %: minimum vote share committed to Putin in polling stations.
- over 1 000 political prisoners in the Russian Federation.¶¶
- 7 %: threshold for parties to gain representation in the State Duma.¶
- 16 February 2024: date of Alexei Navalny's death.¶