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Georgia’s pro-Western president is calling on his people to protest the disputed results of recent parliamentary elections, which he considered a gift to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Georgia borders Russia.
Georgian President Salome Zurabichvili said: “As the last independent institution, this election cannot be recognized. It would legitimize Russia’s takeover of Georgia. Our ancestors were too committed to abandoning Europe’s future. I endured too much,” he said in a statement released to X. She told The Associated Press that the election was “rigged with Russian help.”
The outcome would be a major blow to the country, which has joined the European Union and is aiming for closer ties with the West. A defeat for the opposition could derail Georgia’s hopes of joining the European Union and bring it further under Russian control.
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In this photo taken from a video, Georgian President Salome Zurabichvili addresses the media after parliamentary elections in Tbilisi, Sunday, October 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Kostia Manenkov)
Rebecca Koffler, a former Defense Intelligence Agency official, told FOX News Digital: “The election results are a victory for President Putin.Since becoming President of Russia in 1999, Putin’s goal has always been to bring the former Soviet Union countries to Russia.” It was to be reintegrated under the control of the
Koffler continued, “Was Russia’s intelligence services (GRU and FSB) involved in influencing the election? There is currently no evidence of post-vote manipulation or changes, but there is an influence targeting the presidential election.” Force operations are the norm,” he added. Putin’s strategy relies on funding, intimidation, and incitement, and such activities are extremely difficult to identify, track, and conduct conclusive analysis. ”
The United States stands with Georgia’s pro-European president and those seeking to escape Russian influence.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken said there were reports of irregularities and sporadic violence, and international observers had not declared the outcome free and fair.
A young demonstrator holds a poster during an opposition protest against the results of parliamentary elections in Tbilisi, Georgia, Monday, October 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Zurab Tsertsvadze)
“We condemn all violations of international norms and join calls from international and local observers for a full investigation into all reports of election-related violations,” Blinken said in a statement.
“These are dangerous times for Georgia. The ruling Georgian Dream party must recognize that its actions can have an immediate impact on economic and security challenges. has benefited from sowing division and disinformation, said U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (DN), ranking member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Jim Risch, ranking member of that committee. Sen. (R-Idaho) said in a joint statement.
“We recognize the right of Georgians to peacefully protest if they wish, and we call on the relevant authorities in Georgia to respect this vital democratic right,” the senators said.
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This photo was taken from a video released by the Georgian Dream Party on Sunday, October 27, 2024, in which Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze speaks about parliamentary elections in Tbilisi. (Georgian Dream Party, via AP)
The Russian-backed Georgian Dream party declared victory shortly after voting closed on Saturday, with about 54% of the vote. The opposition party’s joint campaign received only 38% of the vote. The ruling party also has the support of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who sent congratulations to Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze and the Georgian Dream party before the election results were announced. Prime Minister Orbán visited Tbilisi, lending further legitimacy to the government’s disputed victory.
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Many opposition parties reject Georgian Dream’s claimed victory and say the election was stolen and fraudulent.
Georgia’s president and many Western observers acknowledged that the election results were marred by irregularities such as fraud and ballot stuffing.
Supporters of the ruling Georgian Dream party attend a rally in central Tbilisi, Georgia, Wednesday, October 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Shak Aivazov)
The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) said in a statement that the election was “characterized by a tense environment and multiple incidents of physical altercations and widespread intimidation of voters.” European Council President Charles Michel has called for an investigation into the fraud allegations.
Some Georgians outraged by the outcome have already taken to the streets to voice their opposition, with planned protests taking place outside parliament. Tensions could escalate further if large-scale protests erupt, as the president and others have called for, and are met with violence from security forces.
Election billboards of the ruling Georgian Dream party in Tbilisi ahead of parliamentary elections on October 22, 2024. (Gyorgi Argevanidze/AFP via Getty Images)
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Many Georgians have a strong desire to join the EU, with opinion polls showing up to 83% support such a move. Since Georgia became a candidate for membership in 2023, the Georgian Dream Party has stalled Georgia’s efforts to join the EU. The EU then put Georgia’s accession process on hold after a controversial “foreign agent” law that required the participation of citizens, non-governmental organizations, media organizations and others. Civil society organizations that receive 20% or more of their funding from abroad to register as foreign agents with the Ministry of Justice.
Following the passage of the pro-Kremlin Foreign Agents Act, the United States imposed sanctions and travel bans on Georgian officials who voted in favor of the law and on security services responsible for cracking down on dissent. The State Department also suspended $95 million in aid to the government.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
