Day: October 27, 2024

The Turkish Armed Forces have neutralized 15 PKK/YPG militants in northern Syria, Report informs.

Ist gerade Wochenende in den Zentralen … brauchen noch ein bisschen. 😎

— Notes from Georgia/South Caucasus (Hälbig, Ralph) (@SouthCaucasus) October 27, 2024

With more than 99% of precincts counted, official results from the Central Election Commission give the ruling Georgian Dream party a 54.23% lead. The combined total of opposition parties that passed the 5% threshold is 37.44%. While the Georgian Dream celebrates the victory, the opposition denies the legitimacy of the elections and observer organizations speak of “large-scale” rigging and demand the annulment of the official results. The OSCE/ODIHR is to share its first preliminary assessment of the elections today at 15:00 Tbilisi time.

We have collected the international reactions to the election results:

Žygimantas Pavilionis, Member of the Lithuanian Parliament: “Georgian Nightmare is stealing the European future of Geogian nation, trying to consolidate the Russian or Belarussian way back to the Russian past instead of consolidating its future, freedom, democracy, souvereignity and territorial integrity inside the EU and NATO.”

Margus Tsahkna, Estonian Minister of Foreign Affairs: “Reports of irregularities in Georgian elections give rise to grave concern. Closely following the evaluations of international and local observers.”

Viktor Orban, Hungary’s Prime Minister sent his congratulations before the official preliminary results: “Congratulations to Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze and the Georgian Dream party on their overwhelming victory at the parliamentary elections today. The people of Georgia know what is best for their country, and made their voice heard today!”

Ilham Aliyev, President of Azerbaijan: “I warmly congratulate you on the results of the parliamentary elections held in Georgia and the victory of the Georgian Dream – Democratic Georgia party, which is the leading political force in your country. By voting, the citizens of Georgia expressed their support for development, stability, and traditional values. I believe that the results of the elections will serve the all-round development and prosperity of Georgia.”

Aleksey Pushkov, Senator of the Russian Federation: “There may still be unrest in Georgia, but it appears that the West’s “regime change” in Georgia by supporting the opposition has, simply put, failed. Georgian Dream won with more than 54% of the vote, an absolute majority. The West’s plan was to turn Georgia into its semi-colony, promising it a happy integration into the multi-gender and “non-binary” family of European nations. For some reason, however, this did not appeal to the majority of Georgian voters. Nor did the demagoguery of President Zurabishvili, who looks more and more like a relic of the bygone Saakashvili era. Saakashvili, by the way, also dreamed of a new pro-Western revolution in Georgia – and where is it now?”

Grigory Karasin, Head of the Russia’s Federation Council’s Committee on International Affairs: “According to reports from Tbilisi, the parliamentary elections in Georgia took place in a calm atmosphere. The high voter turnout of about 58% is another indicator of civic activity. The nearly 53% of the vote received by the ruling Georgian Dream, as well as the entry of four opposition parties into Parliament, promises an active period in the country’s domestic politics. We trust that it will be conducted in a predictable and civilized manner. This is in the interest not only of Georgia, but of the entire Caucasus region.”

Marko Mihkelson, Member of the Estonian Parliament: “Georgia’s apparent election result falsification makes it impossible to recognize their legitimacy. By rigging elections, one cannot join the European Union, but can end up back in Russia’s embrace.”

Nikol Pashinyan, Prime Minister of Armenia: “I congratulate the Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Kobakhidze and the party “Georgian Dream” on the victory in the parliamentary elections. I believe that the strategic relations between Armenia and Georgia will continue to develop sustainably for the benefit of the brotherly Armenian and Georgian peoples.”

More to follow…

Also Read:

• 2024 Election Live Blog

1. Republic of Georgia’s Ruling Party Claims Election Victory  The New York Times
2. Georgian president calls for protests after ruling party wins disputed election  Reuters
3. Georgia’s president says election ‘has been stolen’  DW (English)
4. Georgia’s opposition disputes result of crucial vote which could decide the country’s role in Europe  The Associated Press
5. Georgia’s pro-EU opposition cries foul as ruling party claims election victory  CNN
6. Experts React: Georgia just concluded a contested election, with the country’s future at stake. Now what?  Atlantic Council
7. Georgian election: President tells public to show the world where they stand on ‘rigged vote’  BBC.com
8. Georgia thrown into political turmoil after disputed parliamentary elections  FRANCE 24 English
9. Election win for Russia-friendly party in Georgia sets the stage for protests and possible violence  CNBC

1. Republic of Georgia’s Ruling Party Claims Election Victory  The New York Times
2. Georgian president calls for protests after ruling party wins disputed election  Reuters
3. Georgia’s opposition disputes result of crucial vote which could decide the country’s role in Europe  The Associated Press
4. Georgia’s pro-EU opposition cries foul as ruling party claims election victory  CNN
5. Georgia thrown into political turmoil after disputed parliamentary elections  FRANCE 24 English
6. Georgia’s crucial vote was marred by intimidation, European monitors say  NPR
7. Experts React: Georgia just concluded a contested election, with the country’s future at stake. Now what?  Atlantic Council
8. Georgia’s pro-EU opposition calls for protest over ‘rigged’ election result  The Guardian
9. EU urges probe into Georgia’s vote ‘irregularities’; PM rejects accusations  Al Jazeera English

1. Republic of Georgia’s Ruling Party Claims Election Victory  The New York Times
2. Georgian election: Pro-EU opposition says vote stolen as ruling party claims victory  BBC.com
3. Georgian president won’t recognize parliamentary election result and calls for a protest  The Associated Press
4. Georgian president calls for protests after ruling party wins disputed election  Reuters
5. Georgia’s pro-EU opposition cries foul as ruling party claims election victory  CNN
6. Georgia thrown into political turmoil after disputed parliamentary elections  FRANCE 24 English
7. Georgia’s pro-EU opposition calls for protest over ‘rigged’ election result  The Guardian
8. Georgia’s crucial vote was marred by intimidation, European monitors say  NPR
9. Experts React: Georgia just concluded a contested election, with the country’s future at stake. Now what?  Atlantic Council

1. Republic of Georgia’s Ruling Party Claims Election Victory  The New York Times
2. Georgian president calls for protests after ruling party wins disputed election  Reuters
3. Georgia’s President Calls on West to Back Protests Against Election Win  Newsweek
4. Georgia’s opposition disputes result of crucial vote which could decide the country’s role in Europe  The Associated Press
5. Georgia’s pro-EU opposition cries foul as ruling party claims election victory  CNN
6. Georgia thrown into political turmoil after disputed parliamentary elections  FRANCE 24 English
7. Georgia’s crucial vote was marred by intimidation, European monitors say  NPR
8. Georgia’s pro-EU opposition calls for protest over ‘rigged’ election result  The Guardian
9. Experts React: Georgia just concluded a contested election, with the country’s future at stake. Now what?  Atlantic Council

1. Republic of Georgia’s Ruling Party Claims Election Victory  The New York Times
2. Georgian president calls for protests after ruling party wins disputed election  Reuters
3. Georgia president asks foreign partners to act against Russia election ‘infiltration’  ABC News
4. Georgia’s opposition disputes result of crucial vote which could decide the country’s role in Europe  The Associated Press
5. Georgian election: Pro-EU opposition says vote stolen as ruling party claims victory  BBC.com
6. Georgia’s pro-EU opposition cries foul as ruling party claims election victory  CNN
7. Georgia thrown into political turmoil after disputed parliamentary elections  FRANCE 24 English
8. Georgia’s crucial vote was marred by intimidation, European monitors say  NPR
9. Georgia’s pro-EU opposition calls for protest over ‘rigged’ election result  The Guardian

1. Republic of Georgia’s Ruling Party Claims Election Victory  The New York Times
2. Georgian election: Pro-EU opposition says vote stolen as ruling party claims victory  BBC.com
3. Georgian president calls for protests after ruling party wins disputed election  Reuters
4. Georgia’s pro-EU opposition cries foul as ruling party claims election victory  CNN
5. Georgian president won’t recognize parliamentary election result and calls public protests  The Associated Press
6. Georgia thrown into political turmoil after disputed parliamentary elections  FRANCE 24 English
7. Georgia’s crucial vote was marred by intimidation, European monitors say  NPR
8. Georgia president calls for protests as opposition cries foul over election  POLITICO Europe
9. Georgia: Ruling Georgian Dream party wins election  DW (English)

1. Georgia’s pro-EU opposition says vote stolen as ruling party claims victory  BBC.com
2. Georgian president calls for protests after ruling party wins disputed election  Reuters
3. Georgia’s disputed election results raise red flag that Russia will win tug of war with the EU  CBC News