DISINFO: In the EU and US elections are not democratic, in Donetsk they are
SUMMARY
In Donetsk, international observers considered the electoral process of the Russian Federation as transparent and democratic. Sovereignty is a prerequisite for holding democratic elections. Russia is sovereign, so it can hold democratic elections. The Europeans are not sovereign, so [its] elections will never be democratic, because [it] is dependent on what Washington, or Brussels dictates. The transparency, the joy of the residents of Donetsk at being able to vote, the facilities they gave [observers] to see everything whether in any polling station makes the process as transparent as possible. Much more transparent, democratic and free than in the supposedly democratic countries of Europe and the United States.
RESPONSE
Pro-Kremlin disinformation claim alleging that the Russian Federation is democratic while EU countries are administrated from the outside and undemocratic. Pro-Kremlin outlets regularly portray European states as vassals, puppet states or colonies of the US and NATO. See our analysis of the Kremlin's claims about the EU's lost sovereignty.
The use of illegitimate observers in so-called elections in Russian occupied territories of Ukraine is not new.
Russian authorities decided not to invite OSCE/ODIHR observers to its elections. The electoral process in Donetsk was illegal and is not recognised by the EU as warned on 12 December 2023:
The EU will never recognise the holding of Russia’s so-called “elections” or their results in the territories of Ukraine. Russia’s political leadership and those involved in organising them will face consequences of these illegal actions.
Furthermore, the European Union strongly condemns the illegal holding of so-called “elections” in the territories of Ukraine that Russia has temporarily occupied: Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the City of Sevastopol, as well as in parts of the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions. The so-called “elections” in these territories represent yet another manifest violation by Russia of international law, including the UN Charter, and of Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. Referring to the two UNGA Resolutions of 12 October 2022 and 27 March 2014, we urge Russia to respect Ukraine’s internationally recognised borders and sovereignty. The European Union reiterates that it does not and will never recognise either the holding of these so-called “elections” in the territories of Ukraine or their results. They are null and void and cannot produce any legal effect whatsoever. Russia’s political leadership and those involved in organising them will face consequences of these illegal actions.
Russian independent Monitoring organization Golos assessed the March 2024 elections as the less transparent in recent history. Irregularities and suspicious results in pooling station without observers have been spotted.
Besides the electoral process, the very candidacy of Vladimir Putin for a new mandate based on a 2020 controverted constitution reform is considered by Russian lawyers as anti-constitutional for many breaches in the procedure.
Elections will take place in the EU and US in 2024. They cannot be compared to this process as they have a long history of democratic election organisation. Independent elections observers also validate the elections and can point out issues if they occur.
The European Parliament Elections, 6-9 June 2024 are already under the monitoring of the OSCE. An ODIHR needs assessment mission report was published in February 2024. It is a massive process as it will take place in the 27 Member states. The continent-wide elections will see 720 Members of the European Parliament elected. This is an increase from the current 705 seats to accommodate demographic changes in several member states. Citizens of the member states feel involved as the last December’s Autumn Eurobarometer survey indicated that :
• 70% of citizens acknowledged that the EU has an impact on their daily lives
• 72% think that their country has benefited from EU membership
• 57% of citizens are interested in the 2024 European elections
• 68% said they would be likely to vote if the European elections were held next week
The EU and national authorities are committed to the principles of free and fair electoral process. According to the country the rules can slightly differ, such as the electoral threshold or the minimum age for candidates.
The 5 November 2024 Presidential elections in the US are also a massive democratic procedure with a long experience. Elections are monitored by the OSCE organization and international observers.
Read also related cases such as: Presidential elections in new regions of Russia are held without violations, or The European Parliament set the goal of discrediting Russian parliamentary elections, or Vladimir Putin was democratically elected unlike Joe Biden.