Georgia’s president called on the West to support opposition protests against the official results of the weekend parliamentary election where the governing party was declared the winner amidst voting irregularities and allegations of Russian interference.
President Salome Zourabichvili, who refused to accept the official results, stated to The Associated Press that Georgia has been under Russian pressure to hinder its EU membership aspirations.
“We’ve seen direct use of Russian propaganda,” said Zourabichvili, a vocal critic of the ruling party Georgian Dream. She accused the government of collaborating with Russia and possibly receiving assistance from Moscow’s security services.
Zourabichvili, along with opposition leaders, called for a rally in the capital city of Tbilisi to protest against what she described as a “complete falsification and theft of votes.”
The Central Election Commission announced that Georgian Dream received 54.8% of the votes with almost all ballots counted. The party, founded by billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, has been criticized for adopting authoritarian laws restricting freedom of speech and LGBTQ+ rights.
Zourabichvili emphasized that protest is the only way for Georgians to express their discontent over the alleged election fraud.
She expressed hope for support from the US and EU for the demonstrations to ensure a stable future for the region.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged Georgian leaders to uphold the rule of law and move towards their Euro-Atlantic future.
The Kremlin denied allegations of interference in Georgia’s internal affairs.
Georgian Dream’s Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze hailed the election victory as “impressive and undeniable” and dismissed claims of manipulation.
European Council President Charles Michel called for a transparent investigation into electoral irregularities and urged Georgian Dream to demonstrate its commitment to the EU.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán congratulated Georgian Dream on their victory and planned a visit to Georgia.
Published – October 29, 2024 11:26 am IST
