As of: March 9, 2024, 8:28 a.m
By: Yekaterina Jalunina
Comments
Press
Split
The planned trip by three Bavarian AfD MPs to Russia during the current elections has met with criticism both externally and internally.
Bavaria, Moscow - The Bavarian AfD members of the state parliament Andreas Jurca, Elena Roon and Ulrich Singer plan to take part in the controversial Russia election as election observers.
According to media reports, the AfD MPs explained that the primary purpose of the trip was “to implement the demands for diplomatic dialogue supported by the party line.”
Elections in Russia: AfD delegation plans trip to Russia
The AfD politicians told
Bayerischer Rundfunk (BR)
that they wanted to use the trip to Russia to evaluate the election process and ensure that the principles of democracy were adhered to.
However, this decision is met with resistance within the AfD party.
The parliamentary group expressly rejects this trip, said parliamentary group leader Katrin Ebner-Steiner.
In the meantime, the federal party executive committee of the AfD has also intervened and issued a resolution “strongly” recommending that Jurca, Roon and Singer refrain from their planned trip.
Katrin Ebner-Steiner, leader of the AfD parliamentary group in the Bavarian state parliament, made it clear that the parliamentary group rejected the trip to the Russia election.
© Daniel Löb/dpa
AfD trip to Russia: Experts are skeptical
The invitation from the
Civil Chamber of the Russian Federation
to the AfD delegation is viewed with skepticism by experts who interpret it as an attempt to feign legitimacy.
Professor Gerhard Mangold from the University of Innsbruck told the
BR
that this was a state signal to give the impression that the elections were being conducted fairly.
Despite the internal disagreement within the party, AfD MPs rejected allegations of bias.
The original plan was for the Citizens' Assembly to finance the trip.
However, the MPs decided to bear the costs themselves, “precisely in order to avoid allegations of bias”.
Presidential election in Russia: Putin wants to be in power for another six years
Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin wants to be confirmed as president for another six years on March 17th.
There are no serious opposing candidates and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) is not invited as an international observer.
My news
To defend against Russia: NATO opens old Soviet air base in Albaniaread
At home in the forests: Swedes are building the NATOs' future flagship tank
Russian governor wants to make Ukrainian prisoners of war “pay with their blood” read
Unmanned combat robot: Ukraine develops remote-controlled “Phantom-2” tank reading
“Everything is allowed against the enemy”: Putin henchman Medvedev sends a clear message
1 hour ago
Russia satellite images reveal: Putin's weapons cache is bleeding out read
Despite the appearance of elections and democratic processes, Putin's regime has repeatedly faced criticism for opaque elections and a lack of political opposition.
The decision to exclude serious rival candidates and not allow international observers reinforces existing doubts about the fairness of the electoral process.
Human rights groups and political observers have repeatedly pointed out that political opponents are intimidated and restricted.
(
jek
)