Georgia’s President Salome Zourabichvili is calling on citizens to rally against the disputed election results, voicing concerns about Russia’s interference and a potential threat to the country’s European future. In a recent interview, Salome Zourabichvili criticized the ruling party’s alleged election manipulation, asserting that this interference endangers Georgia’s alignment with the European Union.
A Nation Protests to Defend its Path Toward Europe
Tens of thousands gathered outside the Georgian parliament in Tbilisi, demanding the annulment of last Saturday’s parliamentary election. The opposition claims that the Georgian Dream party, which has ties to Russia, manipulated the election results. Salome Zourabichvili, known for her pro-European stance, joined protesters, emphasizing the peaceful nature of their demands.
Allegations Against the Georgian Dream Party
The ruling Georgian Dream party, founded by billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, declared victory with nearly 54% of the vote according to the Central Election Commission (CEC). However, Salome Zourabichvili has rejected these results, alleging the use of underhanded tactics to influence the election outcome. She has called for an international investigation into the reported irregularities.
- The CEC received over 445 district-level complaints on election day regarding alleged irregularities, which have raised concerns among the public.
- The United States issued a statement urging a “full investigation” and cited abuses including misuse of resources, vote buying, and voter intimidation.
European Union Candidacy at Stake
Zourabichvili expressed doubts over the election results, noting that Georgian Dream’s recent actions have hindered Georgia’s bid for EU membership. Polls indicate that over 80% of Georgians support joining the European Union, but the country’s progress has been jeopardized by policies that are seen as aligning more with Russian interests.
Earlier this year, the government passed the controversial “foreign agent” law, likened to Russian legislation targeting non-governmental organizations. The bill requires groups receiving over 20% of foreign funding to register as “foreign agents,” a move critics say restricts government accountability. The European Union responded by suspending Georgia’s accession process.
- Georgian Dream leaders maintain that the bill aligns with European standards and will not hinder Georgia’s EU path.
- Zourabichvili argued that the EU has made it clear that Georgia’s current policies contradict its stated goal of European integration.
Potential Consequences for the Opposition
During the election campaign, Ivanishvili threatened to imprison political opponents and ban the main opposition party, the United National Movement (UNM), if Georgian Dream retained control. UNM founder and former president Mikheil Saakashvili has been imprisoned since 2021.
When questioned about potential political repercussions, Salome Zourabichvili emphasized that her focus remains on Georgia’s future, regardless of personal consequences, underlining her commitment to the nation’s democratic values.