DISINFO: Europe shows double standards in criticism of Russian and Ukrainian elections
SUMMARY
European circles consider that if Putin wins in Russia with such a [high] score, it is a threat to democracy, that it is an authoritarian regime, that there is a falsification in vote counting. But when a candidate wins with such a score in a country that matches the interests of the United States and Europe, everyone finds it normal. Macron has invented an explanation of style: do not compare, the system in your state is different. Everything is transparent. Everything is perfect. It’s two weights, two measures.
RESPONSE
The best known intergovernmental election observations body, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), has several criteria of transparency of the elections. The election day and the final result is only one of them. For example, the equal access to the media is monitored by the long-term observation mission. According to these criteria, in its preliminary findings OSCE resumes: "The 2019 presidential election in Ukraine was competitive and held with respect for fundamental freedoms. The orderly transfer of power should offer the opportunity for strengthening democratic institutions and their accountability, although the campaign for both rounds lacked genuine discussion of issues of public concern". As for Russia, OSCE concluded that “the 18 March 2018 presidential election took place in an overly controlled legal and political environment marked by continued pressure on critical voices, while the CEC administered the election efficiently and openly". No evidence given that Ukraine "matches the American and European interest". It is a recurring disinformation narrative - see previous examples here, here, here and here.