The Head of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe has visited Russia and held talks with leaders of State Duma parties, as well as the opposition. Rene van der Linden joined RT to comment on the results of the meetings. 

“Of course, we discussed the upcoming presidential election. And I am happy that we will get an invitation to observe this election. We will do so and  re-elect our mission. And I believe that during the presidential election it is necessary to take into account the recommendations of the report of Mr Van den Brande on the Duma Election of December 2. Some elements of the report were very critical. We’ve already  discussed it in the bureau of Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and we are going to discuss it with the delegation of the Russian State Duma at the Council of Europe assembly in January. It’s very important to have a dialoguo on these elements,” Rene van der Linden said.