U.S. Helsinki Commission to Hold a Briefing on Russia's Upcoming Elections

WASHINGTON —The Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (U.S. Helsinki Commission) announced the following briefing:

Russia's Upcoming Elections and the Struggle for Public and Competitive Politics

Thursday, September 22, 2011

2:00 p.m.

210 Cannon House Office Building

In less than three months Russia will elect a national parliament and soon after a president. With liberal opposition parties disqualified or disinterested, a highly-controlled national media, and ongoing squabbles over international observation, many see the outcome as a foregone and negative conclusion. Please join us for an assessment of the campaign season, thoughts on possible outcomes, and a discussion on why we should care and what we can do.

Panelists:

Leon Aron, Director of Russian Studies, American Enterprise Institute

Ariel Cohen, Senior Research Fellow for Russian and Eurasian Studies, The Heritage Foundation

Vladimir Kara-Murza, Member of the federal political council of the Russian democratic opposition movement Solidarity