NewsCzech Republic condemns Russia's presidential elections as undemocratic

Czech Republic condemns Russia's presidential elections as undemocratic

Vladimir Putin wins in the presidential elections, the validity of which is not recognised by the majority of countries.

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Barbara Kwiatkowska

18 March 2024 12:17

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic issued a statement on Monday about the presidential elections in Russia, highlighting that they were not conducted transparently and democratically.

Vladimir Putin stands again at the helm of the Kremlin. The results of the elections, held from 15 to 17 March in the Russian Federation, are viewed by Western leaders as unreliable.

On Monday morning, the Czech Republic's Ministry of Foreign Affairs summarised the Russian presidential vote. The statement highlighted the elections' backdrop of ongoing aggression against Ukraine and systematic suppression of Russian civil society, independent media destruction, and intimidation of the opposition.

The ministry pointed out that several candidates, particularly those against the aggression on Ukraine, were barred from running in the elections. Russian citizens were denied access to comprehensive and independent information and could not vote for candidates opposing the current regime. The Russian authorities, once again, did not permit the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) observation mission to monitor the voting process.

The Czechs also stressed in their statement that Prague does not acknowledge the "illegal electoral farce" conducted in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, the city of Sevastopol, and parts of the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions, i.e., on the Ukrainian territories that are occupied. "The occupation of these territories constitutes a violation of Ukraine's independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, based on the United Nations Charter and principles of international law," the Czech diplomacy assessed.

The Czechs do not recognize Putin's electoral show as anything but an "Illegal farce"

The statement underscores that Russia aims to legitimize the consequences of its aggressive policy towards Ukraine once again. These actions breach international law and infringe upon the sovereignty of other nations.

"We believe that the citizens of Russia should have the right to choose their leadership in truly free and democratic elections," wrote the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs, emphasizing that what occurred in Russia were "pseudo-elections" lacking in democracy and transparency.