European parliamentarians, together with their Canadian counterpart, issued a joint statement calling on the European Union not to recognize the results of the parliamentary elections in Georgia.
The joint statement says that the elections in Georgia were “neither free nor fair,” and therefore cannot be recognized.
The European Union was called not to recognize the elections in Georgia 26 October
The appeal was signed by the heads of the committees on foreign and European affairs of Germany, Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia, Ireland, Ukraine, Poland, Canada, as well as the vice-speaker of the Swedish parliament and one MEP.
Now watching
They call for sanctions to be imposed on those responsible for unfair influence on the elections, intimidation and threats against the opposition and civil society.
— These elections were neither free nor fair. The political climate ahead of the elections was incompatible with European standards of fairness, — the statement says, citing intimidation, threats to candidates, abuse of state power and vote-buying.
The parliamentarians noted that these elections were about Europe, democracy and freedom, or isolation, authoritarianism and Russification. They also say that the policies of the ruling party, Georgian Dream, are “simply incompatible” with the EU.
— There is only one “party of global war”, and you must call it by its name —, that is Russia. Against this background, the EU cannot recognize the result, — the statement said.
The parliamentarians also expressed concern about the Belarusification of Georgia, stating that if the Georgian Dream fulfills its promises, there is a threat of persecution and a ban on criticism of the government, including politicians, the media and civil society.
They also stated that they continue to strongly support President Salome Zurabishvili's efforts to unite the country, protect democracy, freedom and the rule of law, and preserve and ensure Georgia's European future.
Recall that after counting 99% of the ballots, the Central Election Commission of Georgia declared that the ruling party, Georgian Dream, won with 54% of the votes. Four more parties also overcome the five percent barrier.
