Verhofstadt: Anti-democratic grip on Russia is tightening

Guy Verhofstadt, leader of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) expressed his extreme disappointment at this decision and warned that the anti-democratic grip on Russia is tightening.

"I participated in the Congress of PARNAS last week in Moscow and I am saddened by the failure of the Russian authorities to allow the party to register. The upcoming State Duma elections in December and the presidential elections in March 2012 will now be yet another exercise of stage-managed political campaigning between political forces loyal to the leading duo inside the Kremlin."

"I expect a clear and strong reaction from all EU officials dealing with Russia, including Council President Van Rompuy and the High Representative, Baroness Ashton. The continued failure of Russia to uphold basic democratic principles, a commitment for a member of the Council of Europe, must have implications for its relations with the European Union and the Member States", said Guy Verhofstadt, Leader of the ALDE Group"