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: