DISINFO: The US and its satellite PACE are interfering in the 2024 Russian elections
SUMMARY
PACE adopted a resolution calling for Vladimir Putin to be recognised as illegitimate after the end of his current presidential term. The PACE resolution proves that the United States and its European satellites are preparing for a large-scale campaign to attempt to interfere in the 2024 elections. The resolution is a defiantly crude attempt to interfere in Russia's internal affairs.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative accusing the West of anti-Russian policies and allegedly belligerent and hostile agenda against Russia.
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) did recommend that the member states of the Council of Europe “recognise Vladimir Putin as illegitimate after the end of his current presidential term and to cease all contact with him, except for humanitarian contact and in the pursuit of peace.” The PACE resolution emphasises that Putin has been in power continuously since 2000 and that changes made to the Russian Constitution in July 2020 allow him to remain in the presidency until 2036.
“The brutal repression against internal opponents and the war of aggression against Ukraine illustrate the growing cost of the lack of checks and balances in the Russian Federation…The committee finds that the overwhelming power of the President resulting from the extremely long term in office combined with the lack of any checks and balances such as a strong parliament, an independent judiciary, free media and a vibrant civil society has turned the Russian Federation into a de facto dictatorship, which constitutes a threat to international peace and security,” the document emphasises.
However, the PACE resolution is of a recommendatory nature and cannot in anyway be considered as an attempt to interfere in the Russian Presidential elections. It also emphasises that Russia ignores the norms of international law and all recommendations of the Venice Commission. In 2021, the Venice Commission criticised the changes to the Russian Constitution initiated by President Putin himself - Putin reset his presidential terms, which gave him the opportunity to once again run for office and rule Russia until 2036.
Analysing the substance of the amendments, the Venice Commission concludes “that they have disproportionately strengthened the position of the President of the Russian Federation and have done away with some of the checks and balances originally foreseen in the Constitution.” (paragraph 182).
Russia ignored the conclusions and recommendations of the Venice Commission. In this context, on October 13, 2023, PACE adopted a resolution recommending that the members of the Council of Europe recognise Putin’s future presidential term as illegitimate.
Read a similar case claiming that The West ran a campaign to discredit the State Duma election.