Mariola Wnuk - Controversy lingers over the parlamentary and presidential elections in Russia. Like in 2007 and 2008 Russia does not intend to let in the observers from ODIHR. Initially, 260 observers were to be sent for the parliamentary election scheduled for December (200 short term and 60 long term). However, the Central Election Commission (CEC) of the Russian Federation and the president Medvedev said that such number of observers was not necessary because the compliance with electoral law in the Russian Federation was not worse than in other Western countries.
The head of ODIHR, Janez Lenarcic, expressed his hope that this year the experts of the organisation would be able to come to the Russian Federation and would face no obstacles in their activities. We are convinced that Russia has no reasons to fear foreign observers – stated the UDIHR director at a press conference in Moscow pointing out that during the previous elections the ODIHR observers were not allowed to Russia.
Also during the presidential campaign in 2008 the authorities in Saint Petersburg, claiming serious irregularities in the field of fire security, closed the EU-funded European University, where a course on monitoring elections had been held.
In 2008 after being elected president, Medvedev showed some signs of costitutional openess and occassionally was involved in disagreement with Vladimir Putin. Such policy left the world perplexed whether a new liberal course was taking place or just a series of insignificant moves to appeal to the international opinion.
In a TV interview on September 24th Medvedev stated: We (Medvedev and Putin) represent the same political power. Should the two of us compete in such situation? (…). Therefore, I would like to say that this will not happen. Medvedev suggested that Putin should run for presidency in March 2012, whereas the latter proposed that Medvedev should preside the new government next year. The most influential duo in Russia, trying to warm up their image, did last August excursion and had themselves photographed biking, fishing and diving.
According to political analysts taking office by Putin will prolong authoritarian government in Russia. The consequence of this plausibe scenario will have its effect on the economy, slowing down its progress and undermining the confidence of foreign investors. Medvedev pointed out that this was the fundamental problem of the contemporary Russia, as the number of foreign investments was declining from year to year causing capital outflow that, according to the president, this year (in the middle of 2011) amounted to 50 milliard of dollars. Yet, not letting in the ODIHR observers for the election sends a sign of politization also of the economic life that together with a huge problem of bureaucracy, curruption and vote buying does not improve the investment climate.
Since taking power in 2000 by Vladimir Putin, no elections in Russia were considered by Western observers as free and democratic.
