Europese zorgen over verloop verkiezingen in Tsjetsjenië (en)

The European Commission has condemned the presidential elections in Chechnya and is now pressing for early parliamentary elections.

"We have noticed persistent reports that the .... elections were neither free nor fair", said a spokeswoman for EU External Relations Commissioner Chris Patten on Tuesday (31 August).

The EU, however, had no monitors at the Chechnen elections, which took place on Sunday.

"We will now be pressing for early parliamentary elections in Chechnya and for those elections to be held in a way that can be regarded as free and fair", the spokeswoman added.

As expected, the Kremlin's choice Alu Alkhanov, a former Chechen policeman, was elected to become the new president.

Mr Alkhanov gained more than 70 percent of the votes while his nearest rival was supported by less than ten percent of voters.