Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister
Antonio Tajani reiterated on Monday that he did not consider the
outcome of the Russian presidential elections won by President
Vladimir Putin to be legitimate, after saying the vote was not
"free or fair" on Sunday.
Forza Italia leader Tajani was asked to comment on the Russian
elections again after Transport Minister and fellow Deputy
Premier Matteo Salvini said that "when a people votes, it is
always right" in relation to them.
"I am the Foreign Minister and I expressed my position (on the
vote in Russia) last night," Tajani said.
"I have nothing to add to what I said.
"The elections were characterized by strong pressure, including
violent pressure. "(Alexei) Navalny was excluded from these
elections via homicide.
"We saw the images of soldiers in voting stations.
"It doesn't seem to me to be an election that respects the
criteria that we respect."
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