Council of Europe assembly rejects Russian State Duma election results

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has called on its member states to refuse recognition of the results of the Russian State Duma elections held from September 18–20.

In a resolution adopted in Strasbourg with 59 votes in favor and none against, the Assembly stated that the elections failed to meet the fundamental requirements for being free and fair. PACE concluded that the new composition of the State Duma cannot be considered a democratically elected body or a legitimate representative of Russian society.

The resolution criticized the restriction of political competition and freedom of expression, as well as the organization of voting within Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine. PACE has requested that member states do not recognize the legal or political effects of these elections and should limit contact with the new Duma. Additionally, the Assembly called for sanctions against individuals involved in organizing and conducting the elections, particularly in occupied Ukrainian territories.