As part of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the UN Framework Convention …
Day: November 12, 2024
We are Europe rally in Tbilisi
A protest titled “We Are Europe” took place outside the Parliament building in Tbilisi, where participants rallied against election fraud. Visiting heads of foreign affairs committees from the parliaments of eight EU countries addressed the crowd.
Representatives of the ruling party did not meet with the EU delegation, holding no discussions with either the government administration or the parliamentary majority.
Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili, however, met with the EU delegation of committee heads. At a briefing afterward, she stated that Georgia is entering a deep political crisis, and the visit of European diplomats at this time underscores European support.
According to Zourabichvili, the purpose of the EU delegation’s visit was to help find a way out of the country’s current crisis.
After meeting with the president, Michael Roth, Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the German Bundestag, spoke about election irregularities and stressed the need for an independent investigation, adding that “until these elections are clarified, the European Union cannot recognize their legitimacy.”
He warned that if an independent investigation into the fraud allegations does not proceed, personal sanctions may be considered against those responsible for manipulation and voter intimidation.
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Lithuanian Seimas member Žygimantas Pavilionis addressed protesters on Rustaveli Avenue:
“They want to take away your freedom, your democracy, your country, your place in the EU and NATO. Don’t give up! Fight for your freedom, for democracy, for your country, for your membership in the European Union and NATO…
You need a plan—one to work on and carry out—because freedom isn’t something that can simply be given; it must be earned through constant effort. On this path, we will always stand with you! You are Europe,” said Pavilionis.
Chair of the German Bundestag’s Foreign Affairs Committee, Michael Roth, stated::
“We are very pleased to be back in Tbilisi—the true capital of Europe. We are grateful for your hospitality, even though we know that some people in your country, within the government and ruling party, are unhappy with our visit. But we are not enemies; we are friends—friends of a free, democratic Georgia that has truly become the heart of Europe. This is your place; you have earned it.
We are criticized as if we are interfering in your country’s internal affairs. But is it interference to meet with the president, a courageous woman who fights alongside you for a bright and proud future for your country?
Is it interference to meet with you—the citizens of a proud nation, fighting for European values, democracy, and free and fair elections? This is not interference; this is our shared future in a united Europe. That is why we are here today. We want to support you, to help you—I know you are tired, disappointed, but, dear friends, don’t give up! We stand with you.”
Michał Kamiński, member of the Polish Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee:
“I have a true Georgian dream—a European Georgia, a country where freedom and love will prevail. This is my Georgian dream, and it is your Georgian dream. You will win!
To those who want to steal your elections, your votes, your freedom—we echo the famous words of a Ukrainian soldier: ‘Russian warship…’
This is our answer to Putin; this is our answer to Russia. We will win, and Georgia will find its place in Europe. No one will dare to steal your votes; no one will dare to take your freedom—Georgia will be free, and Georgia will be in Europe.”
Chair of the Finnish Parliament’s Defence Committee, Jukka Kopra:
“The first time I visited Tbilisi was in 1978, as a child, during the Soviet era. When I arrived with my family, demonstrations were taking place on Rustaveli Avenue. People were protesting against the Soviet language law, and in that year, the people of Georgia succeeded in compelling the Soviet government to overturn it. You, Georgians, have a proud history of standing up for your rights.
You have everything needed to advance democracy. We are here to support you on your path toward democracy and the EU. You are Europe, we are Europe, we are all Europe. So once again—don’t give up. Believe in yourselves, believe in free and fair elections, believe in freedom. Freedom will prevail, and democracy will take root in Georgia.”
Chair of the Swedish Committee on European Union Affairs, Erik Ottosson:
“Russian aggression has many faces; it’s not only tanks or steel. It has a face that slips in through the back door, often hard to recognize until it’s too late. But for Georgia, it’s not too late. Fight for democracy—it’s never too late for that. When you fight for democracy, you renew it. Democracy is strong when people stand with it, when the opposition stands with it.
Never give up, never back down. Stand firm, no matter what. Together, we will reach our goal. Thank you, Georgia; thank you, Europe!”
We are Europe rally in Tbilisi
On November 11, the senior lawmakers of eight European Union countries (Germany, France, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Sweden, Finland) paid an official visit to Georgia.
During the visit, they first met with Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili. The meeting was followed by a joint press conference. The delegation is also scheduled to meet with opposition parties and civil society organizations. Government officials have refused to meet with the delegation.
Press Conference
The visit started with the meeting with President Salome Zurabishvili, which was followed by a joint press-conference. President opened the press conference and presented the delegation. “They are truly devoted friends of Georgia, who […] stand by the Georgian state, the Georgian state building, the state construction, its European way.” She added: ” Their coming here today, when Georgia is entering a deep political crisis, is once again a sign of European support…”
Zurabishvili went on to say that Georgia is going through a political crisis because of “one-party-managed elections” and “one-party-rigged elections.”
“Our friends are here to see with us the ways for Georgia to get out of this crisis.” She said Georgia would return to “fair elections” with “just means” so that Georgia would get a “legitimate” Parliament, Government, and President.
The Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the German Bundestag, Michael Roth said: “We represent different political parties… We represent eight nation states, but we all belong to Europe […] the European Union. We are here as friends of the Georgian people… We are not here to promote regime change,” he said, responding to the GD government’s discrediting campaign against the delegation.
“We are here because we are extremely concerned over the recent elections and the anti-democratic policies of the current Georgian government,” Roth said.
He stressed that the October 26 elections “were neither free nor fair” and spoke about the various alleged violations on election day, including ballot secrecy, vote buying, voter intimidation, and threats against the opposition and its supporters. All of these factors undermined the democratic process and “raise serious concerns about the legitimacy of the results,” he said.
Roth said the delegation “fully supports” the call by French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk for an independent investigation into the elections. He said that if such an independent investigation cannot be ensured by a Georgian body, then international bodies such as the Council of Europe, the OSCE and the EU “must step in.”
“Without clarification of these allegations, the EU cannot recognize these elections as legitimate,” Roth said.
“If these allegations are not independently investigated, we will call for individual sanctions against those responsible for the election manipulation and voter intimidation,” he added, noting that “all tools” must be discussed, including the suspension of the visa-free regime with the EU. “We have to put all instruments we have on the table,” he said.
“We stand firmly with the Georgian people in their commitment to European values of democracy, rule of law and human rights,” Roth said, but added: “However, if the current government continues its anti-European trajectory, fails to repeal laws like the Russian Agent law, and persists in undermining EU principles, Georgia’s progress towards the EU membership will remain stalled.”
As the delegation met with the President, protesters against the allegedly rigged elections gathered outside the Orbeliani Palace to thank them for their support of the Georgian people. The members of the delegation came out into the crowd and greeted them.
The delegation members are expected to join the rally of protesters against what they see as stolen elections.
The members of the delegation included: Marko Mihkelson, Estonia, Chair of Foreign Affairs Committee; Jukka Kopra, Finland, Chair of Defence Committee; Frédéric Petit, France, Deputy Chair of European Affairs Committee, National Assembly; Michael Roth, Germany, Chair of Bundestag Foreign Affairs Committee; Ināra Mūrniece, Latvia, Chair of Foreign Affairs Committee; Žygimantas Pavilionis, Lithuania, Deputy Speaker, Chair of European Affairs Committee; Michał Kamiński, Poland, Deputy Marshal of the Senate of the Republic of Poland; Erik Ottoson, Sweden, Chair of the Committee on European Union Affairs
Meeting with Opposition
After meeting with President Salome Zurabishvili, the delegation met with representatives of Georgian opposition parties
According to the opposition leaders, the discussions focused on the ongoing processes in Georgia, with an emphasis on the elections, the prospects of its investigation, and the possible steps the EU could take in response to the actions of the GD government.
“Today’s discussion was about the ongoing processes, what could be the solution, how we should act, what attitude the opposition [parties] should have independently and as a whole, how to communicate with them, what threats there are, what actions we should expect from the government, and what could be the negative consequences of the course the Georgian Dream has taken Georgia,” said Dimitri Tskitishvili of Gakharia-For Georgia.
“One of the main directions we discussed today was the international investigation [of the elections],” said Tinatin Bokuchava of Unity-UNM, adding that there is an understanding that the Georgian Prosecutor’s Office cannot conduct a fair investigation. “There are several mechanisms that can be the basis for such an investigative instrument, be it the European Parliament or the European Commission,” she added, noting that there is a readiness to conduct such an investigation.
“There was talk that not only should Georgia’s European integration be stopped, but that we might lose the benefits that Georgia receives from Europe, which are free trade, visa-free travel, candidate status,” Zurab Japaridze of Coalition for Change said.
“Very painful steps are expected, and this [taking such steps] is a common practice; as Georgian Dream has captured the government and tries to carry out anti-European policies, it gets a corresponding response from Europe,” Badri Japaridze of Strong Georgia said.
As part of their visit the European lawmakers had meetings with civil society representatives, media representatives, and with the October 26 election observers.
They also took part in the “We are Europe” rally on November 11 and addressed the demonstrators with the words of support to their European and democratic aspirations.
Chair of Foreign Affairs Committee at German Bundestag, Michael Roth addressed the crowd saying that he is happy to be in Tbilisi -the “true capital of Europe.” He said he knows that the government is “not happy” about the delegation’s visit, and added: “We are not an enemy, we are friends of free, democratic Georgia!” He said: ” They criticize us because of “interference in internal affairs of your country. Is it interference to meet your President?” he asked rhetorically, adding that she fights “for the bright future of your country.”
“If you win, we will win, if you will survive, we in EU will survive. Solidarity must unite us,” he added emphatically. He addressed the crowd saying: “Democracy is alive, not because of the ruling party, but because of you!” The German lawmaker said that in liberal democracy fight for freedom never stops: “We can never say mission accomplished, this process never ends, we have to defend democracy, defend freedom in our universities, business, families, politics.” “Don’t give up! We are with you!” Michael Roth addressed the crowd.
Vice-Speaker and Chair of the Committee on European Affairs and of the Lithuanian Parliament Žygimantas Pavilionis, addressed the crowd with words: “Don’t give up! Fight for your freedom fight for your democracy, fight for you country; for your membership in the EU and NATO!”
President of the EU Committee of the Swedish Riksdag Filip Ottoson recalled the courage of the Georgians who stood up to Russia in 2008. He stressed that there is only one, “democratic” way to Europe through the rule of law and human rights. He also told the demonstrators that by fighting for democracy they “keep it alive.”