Vyacheslav Volodin: Russia’s political system has evolved over the years, becoming more open and competitive

Vyacheslav Volodin held a meeting with the IPA CIS international observers. The presidential election is being held in Russia on March 15, 16 and 17
Meeting of Chairman of the State Duma Vyacheslav Volodin and delegation of international observers representing the Interparliamentary Assembly of Member Nations of the Commonwealth of Independent States

On Saturday, March 16, the Chairman of the State Duma held meetings with the international observers who came to Russia to observe the presidential election.

During the meeting with the IPA CIS international observers, the Chairman of the State Duma Vyacheslav Volodin Volodin Vyacheslav Victorovich Volodin
Vyacheslav Victorovich
The Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation of the eighth convocation. Elected in single mandate constituency № 163 (Saratov constituency - Saratov Oblast)
noted that 475 parliamentary international observers and experts from 89 countries came to observe the election of the President of the Russian Federation. “There are three chairmen of parliaments, as well as representatives of six international parliamentary organizations. There are many different representatives, the interest is enormous,” added Vyacheslav Volodin. He thanked everyone who came to Russia for their participation and noted the special importance in the current conditions.

“There are forces that are trying to counter the development of our country and many other countries in the world. I mean the desire of the United States to maintain a monopoly on its supremacy. They will not stop; they want to continue their policy of hegemony. We are convinced that the world should be multipolar, and its structure should be fair,” said Vyacheslav Volodin.

“When we talk about observing elections, many often forget that the national legislation should be fully complied in the electoral process: not imposing someone else’s [will], but national legislation should be implemented. Western states and the United States should not impose their norms. We have our national legislation, which must be fully implemented,” emphasized the Chairman of the State Duma.

Representatives of the Western states — Washington, Brussels, foreign organizations that they control — come with prepared in advance politicized conclusions, as he said.

Thus, by using the observer missions, Washington tries to cast doubt on the results of the election if there wins a candidate who is not loyal to them, according to him.

“They should not interfere in the affairs of sovereign states, as this is the choice of the people. Start with yourself and bring your electoral systems at least to the standards of our countries that are members of the CIS and the CSTO,” emphasized the Chairman of the State Duma.

“Our political system has evolved over the years, becoming more open and competitive,” said Vyacheslav Volodin.

External challenges

During the meeting, the Chairman of the State Duma Vyacheslav Volodin noted that the Russian political system had proved its effectiveness, including in the conditions of external challenges.

“Over the past 10 years, more than 19 thousand sanctions have been introduced against the Russian Federation, but the political system has proved its effectiveness. It has survived, and our society has united even more around the President,” he said.

According to the Chairman of the State Duma, Russia must be strong and therefore it needs a strong leader.

“Our countries can only be strong and independent. This gives the citizens the opportunity to plan their own future, and states can develop,” he addressed the IPA CIS international observers.

Observers’ opinions

The IPA CIS observers said that the election of the President of the Russian Federation were being held in compliance with the law, and noted the high interest of citizens.

“A thorough study by highly qualified specialists was made and there is the conclusion that the election process in the Russian Federation complies with the law and ensures the full expression of the will of the people,” said the Coordinator of the group of the IPA CIS international observers, Chairman of the Standing Commission of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus for Regional Policy and Local Self-Government Mikhail Rusy.

He said that the IPA CIS “is monitoring the presidential election in Russia in many regions of the country”.

“The thing that attracts the attention of our colleagues is very high voter turnout, high interest in the election,” emphasized Mikhail Rusy.

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Meeting of Chairman of the State Duma Vyacheslav Volodin and delegation of international observers representing the Interparliamentary Assembly of Member Nations of the Commonwealth of Independent States
Chairman of the State Duma Vyacheslav Volodin
Meeting of Chairman of the State Duma Vyacheslav Volodin and delegation of international observers representing the Interparliamentary Assembly of Member Nations of the Commonwealth of Independent States
Meeting of Chairman of the State Duma Vyacheslav Volodin and delegation of international observers representing the Interparliamentary Assembly of Member Nations of the Commonwealth of Independent States
Member of the Committee on International Affairs Roza Chemeris
Chairman of the State Duma Vyacheslav Volodin, First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Ivan Melnikov and member of the Committee on Defence Victor Zavarzin
Meeting of Chairman of the State Duma Vyacheslav Volodin and delegation of international observers representing the Interparliamentary Assembly of Member Nations of the Commonwealth of Independent States
Meeting of Chairman of the State Duma Vyacheslav Volodin and delegation of international observers representing the Interparliamentary Assembly of Member Nations of the Commonwealth of Independent States
Chairman of the State Duma Vyacheslav Volodin and First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Ivan Melnikov
Member of the Committee on Defence Victor Zavarzin, member of the Committee on International Affairs Roza Chemeris and member of the Committee on Industry and Trade Vladimir Ivanov
Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Health Protection Sergey Leonov
First Deputy Chairwoman of the Committee on Culture Elena Drapeko
Member of the Committee on Defence Victor Zavarzin
 
Chairman of the State Duma Vyacheslav Volodin
 
 
Member of the Committee on International Affairs Roza Chemeris
Chairman of the State Duma Vyacheslav Volodin, First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Ivan Melnikov and member of the Committee on Defence Victor Zavarzin
 
 
Chairman of the State Duma Vyacheslav Volodin and First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Ivan Melnikov
Member of the Committee on Defence Victor Zavarzin, member of the Committee on International Affairs Roza Chemeris and member of the Committee on Industry and Trade Vladimir Ivanov
Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Health Protection Sergey Leonov
First Deputy Chairwoman of the Committee on Culture Elena Drapeko
Member of the Committee on Defence Victor Zavarzin

The group of the IPA CIS international observers consists of representatives of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus, the Senate and the Majilis of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Supreme Council of the Kyrgyz Republic, the Majlisi Milli Majlisi Oli of the Republic of Tajikistan, the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Senate and the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia.