Sonja Schiffers @sonjaschiffers (blocked me) from @BoellStiftung to Protests in Georgia over alleged rigged parliamentary election. via @dwnews – Of course, not a „analytical word“ about the weak role of the Europeans. https://t.co/3TEp7AyLWS
— Notes from Georgia/South Caucasus (Hälbig, Ralph) (@SouthCaucasus) October 29, 2024
Day: October 29, 2024
On October 28, EU Ministers made a joint statement on the Parliamentary elections in Georgia in which they express deep concern about the current situation in Georgia and demand an impartial inquiry of complaints regarding the violations..
Noting that international observers reported violations during the election campaign as well as on election day, the Ministers “condemn all violation of international norms for free and fair elections.” They state that they share the observers’ concerns and “demand an impartial inquiry of complaints and remedy of the violations established. “
The Ministers state: “We stand in this difficult time at the side of Georgians” and note that “It is important that protests and in particular government reaction to them remain peaceful.”
EU Ministers stress that “the violations of electoral integrity are incompatible with the standards expected from a candidate to the European Union. They are a betrayal of the Georgian people’s legitimate European aspiration.”
They emphasize that “upholding the rule of law and free and fair elections is integral to any progress on Georgia’s EU path.”
The Ministers also criticize Prime Minister Orban’s premature visit to Georgia and stress: “He does not speak on behalf of the EU.”
Later in the day, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Latvia Baiba Braže reported on social media that Latvia also joined the EU Ministers’ statement.
The statement is signed by: Martin DVOŘÁK, Minister for European Affairs, Czechia, Marie BJERRE, Minister for European Affairs, Denmark, Anna LÜHRMANN, Minister of State for Europe and Climate, Germany, Margus TSAHKNA, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Estonia, Joakim STRAND, Minister for European Affairs and Ownership Steering, Finland, Benjamin HADDAD, Minister Delegate for European Affairs, France, Jennifer Carroll MACNEILL, Minister of State for EU Affairs, Ireland, Gabrielius LANDSBERGIS, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Lithuania, Caspar VELDKAMP, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Netherlands, Xavier BETTEL, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs, Luxembourg, Adam SZŁAPKA, Minister for the European Union, Poland
Inês DOMINGOS, State Secretary for European Affairs, Portugal, Jessica ROSENCRANTZ, Minister for EU Affairs, Sweden.
This news was updated on October 29 at 16:50 to include the Latvian decision to join the statement.
Also Read:
- 28/10/2024 – International Reactions to Results of the Parliamentary Elections in Georgia
- 28/10/2024 – Georgian Opposition, Observers Collect Evidence to Reveal Alleged Vote Fraud Scheme
- 28/10/2024 – Observer Mission Talks of Main Scheme of Large-Scale Election Fraud, Seeks Annulment of Results from 189 Polling Stations
That’s probably the only one. That was to be expected from him. He had announced his retirement from politics and that’s when you can just let one out, Jelger @jelger_ https://t.co/P0Cqug1fpu
— Notes from Georgia/South Caucasus (Hälbig, Ralph) (@SouthCaucasus) October 29, 2024
President of Georgia on the Elections
“You did not lose the election. Your vote was stolen,” began Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili in her speech. She addressed the ongoing protest on Rustaveli Avenue alongside opposition leaders, promising citizens that she would stand with them in defending Georgia’s European path.
Zourabichvili stated that no one will recognize these elections and that she will do everything possible to investigate the fraud, securing international support for Georgia in this process. Here is her full statement:
“They tried to steal your future. But no one has the right to do that. You will not allow anyone to do it.”
- Over 100,000 people gathered in Tbilisi for a protest against election fraud. The West is in no hurry to recognize the results
- Pressure, intimidation, unequal opportunities: international missions evaluate elections in Georgia
This is the flag under which Georgia first proclaimed its freedom and independence in the modern era. Today’s flag is a continuation of that flag. Before both flags, I can pledge that I will stand with you until the end on this European path. Until we reach the threshold of Europe, which is not just our dream but a reality—we have no other choice. We do not want to leave anything else for future generations.
Independence, freedom, European values, and Georgian identity, which is part of us and so dear to us. I want to tell you what I am doing during this period. Today, I gave 17 interviews to foreign media to explain what has happened here. I spoke with six presidents, including presidents of European countries. I spoke with foreign ministers. You have likely seen all the statements of support coming from various European countries and the United States.
- The Eurasian Georgia?
- Op-ed: Opposition defeat in Georgian elections attributed to two factors: Voter behavior and fraud
“Everyone is telling us—no one, except one person [Orbán], recognizes the results of these elections. Everyone is telling us that it’s necessary to continue the investigation and see it through. We may gain international support to conduct this investigation fully and leave no question unanswered. Our monitoring organizations, NGOs, and political parties are actively involved in this. Together, with your help, we must create a complete picture of how this unprecedented and unique mass theft of votes took place. It is a massive, pre-planned operation.
We still have work to do to achieve results and demand their implementation. This is just the first stage. I am sure everyone will tell you how they intend to act. No one will leave an unjust result unchallenged. Together, very peacefully, we will defend what is our and your constitutional right. We have nothing but the people’s voice, which we must realize.
This is not a time for pessimism, giving up, or resigning. It is a time to calmly, confidently, and purposefully defend our voice. A significant portion of votes abroad was also stolen. The votes cast in the elections show where the will of the people lies. But they were not enough to counter the falsified results. These results will not be final. We will achieve this together.
Thank you to everyone for what you have done in these days and for what we will still accomplish together,” declared the president.
