On 27th October, President Salome Zourabichvili of Georgia publicly condemned the results of the recent parliamentary elections, referring to them as “Russian elections” and urging citizens to protest what she characterised as widespread electoral fraud.
In a televised statement, Zourabichvili accused the Georgian authorities of disenfranchising the public through election interference and manipulation.
According to reports from Echo of the Caucasus Zourabichvili described the election as part of a “Russian special operation, a hybrid war” targeting Georgia and its sovereignty.
“This is not just about election fraud,” she declared, “we are witnessing a targeted operation against our people, an attempt to subjugate our nation.”
She further accused officials of using sophisticated technologies to conceal irregularities and questioned the future of democratic elections in Georgia should such practices go unchecked.
The Georgian President characterised the election as a severe breach of constitutional rights, specifically the right to free and fair elections.
“They have stripped us of our electoral institution,” she stated, “making it difficult to envision the credibility of future elections if nothing changes. This is a confiscation of our constitutional right to choose.”
Zourabichvili also rejected the results released by Georgia’s Central Election Commission, asserting, “I do not recognise these elections. Recognising them would be tantamount to endorsing Russia’s entry into Georgia, conceding our autonomy to Moscow.” She underscored that Georgia’s aspirations align with Europe and called for the protection of this future, stating, “Our ancestors did not live for this, and we will not accept it. No one can strip Georgia of its European destiny.”
In a rallying call, Zourabichvili urged citizens to gather at Rustaveli Square on Monday at 7 p.m. to broadcast to the world Georgia’s refusal to recognise the election outcome. The demonstration aims to reinforce the call for electoral transparency and reaffirm Georgia’s commitment to European integration.
International Reaction and Political Context
The European Union and several European leaders have expressed apprehension about the conduct of the Georgian parliamentary elections. Charles Michel, President of the European Council, called on Georgian authorities to investigate reported irregularities, adding that the issue of Georgia’s electoral integrity will be discussed at an informal EU summit scheduled for November.
Meanwhile, opposition parties in Georgia voiced their refusal to acknowledge the election results, accusing the ruling party, Georgian Dream, of “stealing” the election and rallying their supporters for mass protests.
Calls for action extend beyond Georgia’s borders, with prominent legislators in Europe and Canada advocating for the EU to impose personal sanctions and deny recognition of the election results.
Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili Declares Victory for Opposition Following Exit Poll Results
