The Assembly’s Rules Committee has concluded that the credentials of three national delegations challenged on procedural grounds at the opening of the session – those of Moldova, Spain and the Russian Federation – should be ratified. The committee’s opinion was submitted in a letter to the President, which was read out this morning in the plenary without debate.
Concerning the credentials of the Moldovan delegation, challenged on the ground that the opposition Sor party was not represented, the committee concluded that the credentials should be ratified. It noted that “one vacant substitute’s seat was, in principle, allocated to the Sor party” and pointed out that the party had refused to designate its member.
Concerning the credentials of the Spanish delegation, challenged on ground that it did not include any members of the Vox party, the committee concluded that the credentials should be ratified. It noted that the parliament has appointed a provisional delegation, which has three vacant substitute seats, adding: “The fact that there are vacant seats in the Spanish delegation implies that members of the Vox group, currently not represented in the delegation, would be able to join it.”
Concerning the credentials of the Russian delegation, challenged on the ground, firstly, that it comprises members elected on an illegal basis using votes from illegally occupied and annexed territories such as Crimea and, secondly, that some of its members are subject to EU sanctions for actively supporting the annexation of Crimea, the committee concluded that the credentials should be ratified.
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A separate challenge to the credentials of the Russian delegation, on substantial grounds, is to be debated by the Assembly later today.
PACE