The Voice of Russia: Iwiński: “I am glad that all political forces in Russia are for fair and transparent elections”

A five-member PACE delegation has carried out a pre-electoral mission to Moscow on 8-11 February 2012, to assess the electoral framework and campaign ahead of the Russian presidential election on 4 March 2012. One of the delegation’s members the Polish professor of political sciences and a deputy of the European Parliament [Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe - red. iwinski.pl] Tadeusz Iwinski shared his impressions of the visit with “the Voice of Russia”.

"When I visited Moscow I had many conversations with Mr. Zyuganov, who is a member of the Russian delegation at PACE sessions. I also know Zhirinosky who also took part in those sessions. I met Mr. Putin many times and when it was for the first time we talked about the Chechen issue. This time I have not had an opportunity to meet him and I regret it. I also know Mr. Mironov quite well, the leader of A Just Russia party, who just like me belongs to social-democrats. Four years ago I helped him to become a observer of Socintern (Social Intentional).  

During this visit I met Mr. Prokhorov for the first time. I think he is intelligent, modest and has good plans regarding economic and political reforms and challenging projects. And he is only 45. He looked a very open person to me. I asked him what the difference was between him and Khodorkovsky. He said “Khodorkovsky came into politics several years ago and had problems and now we have the new Russia.  If I had started to do politics at that time I could have had problems too”.  These words prove the new dynamics in Russian political life.

I would say that now Russia is getting ripe enough for the real democracy. I see many processes speeding up even in comparison with what I saw only two months ago when I monitored your parliamentary elections. Then I visited Moscow and Yekaterinburg. Now there are many public meetings everywhere and the new spirit of Russia’s social life is in the air. New processes have begun and I wish they would continue".

In your opinion, pan Professor, will the presidential election in Russia be held in one round or two rounds?

"I can’t say it. I remember that in 1996 the presidential elections were held in two rounds and in the second round the rivals were Gennady Zyuganov and Boris Yeltsin. And now… I don’t know. But I would say one thing I may find paradoxical – Probably, it would be better for Russia’s image in Europe and in the world and also for one of the main candidates, the current Prime Minister Putin if the election were held in two rounds. But transparent and fair election, even if its is held in one round are much more important for us anyway. A lot will depend on the weather on the day of the elections, turnout, which is different in Moscow, St Petersburg, Yekaterinburg, in industrial centers and small settlements.  Even geographic factor matters. We know that at the parliamentary election the United Russia gathered 90% of votes in North Caucasus. Anything may happen. But the key thing is that now all the political forces in Russia are for fair and transparent elections".

źródło: portal The Voice of Russia fot. RIA Novosti