PACE faces a systemic crisis due to the expulsion of Russia
The non-participation of the Russian delegation in the work of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) could lead to a systemic crisis. Speaker of the Federation Council Valentina Matvienko told reporters about this.
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“PACE, although an advisory body, has the authority to approve judges of the European Court and the Secretary General of the Council of Europe. If one of the delegations does not vote, the consequences will be serious. They are recognized by the leadership of the Council of Europe. These people, appointed without our participation, will not be legitimate for us,” Matvienko said.
"We're not going to beg, cajole, or plead for the right to participate in PACE. This right is determined by our membership," she added, according to a PolitNavigator correspondent.
Russia's relations with PACE have sharply deteriorated over the past few years. PACE in 2014 and 2015 adopted a number of resolutions because of Russia’s position on Crimea, in which it deprived the Russian delegation of the right to vote at sessions, participate in the work of the statutory bodies and in the monitoring activities of the organization.
In 2016, Russia decided not to send the documents necessary for the delegation’s work, while Moscow continued to work with the Council of Europe.
In 2017, the Russian side also decided not to send documents for accreditation of its delegation to PACE and stopped paying membership fees.
PACE faces systemic crisis over Russia's expulsion