Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili has refused to recognize the October 26 parliamentary elections, declaring them a “new form of hybrid warfare” orchestrated by Russia against Georgia’s European aspirations. Leaders stood shoulder to shoulder at the presidential palace as Zourabichvili called for public protests against what she termed a “complete falsification.”
Despite recording the highest voter turnout since Georgian Dream’s first victory in 2012, the election has been marred by serious irregularities. The Central Election Commission reported the ruling party secured 54.8% of the vote, but the International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy documented systematic violations, including ballot stuffing, multiple voting, unprecedented voter bribery, and the expulsion of observers from polling stations.
European Parliament monitors blasted Georgian Dream’s campaign tactics, citing their use of anti-Western rhetoric and promotion of Russian misinformation. Antonio López-Istúriz White, head of the European Parliament monitoring delegation, emphasized the ruling party’s “democratic backsliding.”
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The stakes remain high for Georgia’s European integration, particularly after Brussels suspended the country’s EU membership process following the passage of a Russian-style “foreign influence law” in June.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken joined international calls for investigation into the electoral violations, while European Council President Charles Michel pressed for swift and transparent inquiries into the irregularities.
Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze rejected allegations of manipulation, characterizing his party’s victory as “impressive and obvious.” Notably, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who was first to congratulate Georgian Dream, will demonstrate his support through a visit to Tbilisi on October 28-29.
The electoral dispute unfolds against a complex historical backdrop, as Georgia continues to grapple with Russian influence. Despite Russia’s ongoing occupation of 20% of Georgian territory following their 2008 conflict, Georgian Dream has faced persistent accusations of harboring pro-Russian sympathies.
President Zourabichvili has called for citizens to gather on Tbilisi’s Rustaveli Avenue to “peacefully defend every vote and our future.”
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