Georgia election protests/ Salome Zourabichvili/ Russian interference/ Georgian Dream party/ EU membership/ Newslooks/ TBILISI/ Georgia/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Georgia’s President Salome Zourabichvili has urged Western allies to support opposition protests against the ruling Georgian Dream party, which claimed victory in a weekend election. Alleging Russian interference and voting irregularities, Zourabichvili called for international backing, while Kremlin officials denied involvement and accused the West of meddling.
Georgia’s President Urges Western Support for Election Protests Quick Look
- Election Controversy: President Salome Zourabichvili disputes the ruling party’s claimed election win, urging the U.S. and EU to support opposition protests.
- Alleged Russian Meddling: Zourabichvili accuses the Georgian government of aligning with Russia to hinder the nation’s EU aspirations.
- Western Response: U.S. and EU officials stress the importance of electoral integrity, with the EU urging transparent investigations into irregularities.
- Kremlin Response: Russia denies interference and accuses the West of attempting to destabilize Georgia.
Georgia’s President Pressures West to Back Protests, Citing Russian Interference
Deep Look
Georgia’s President Salome Zourabichvili has called on the United States and European Union to support protests challenging the legitimacy of the governing Georgian Dream party’s victory in this weekend’s parliamentary elections. The president, a staunch opponent of the ruling party, argues that Russian interference is behind the recent election results, alleging that Georgian Dream has cooperated with Moscow to undermine the country’s democratic path and EU membership prospects.
Zourabichvili Urges International Support
In an interview with The Associated Press, Zourabichvili stated that the Georgian government, under increasing influence from Russia, has allowed “direct Russian propaganda” to sway the election. She added that Moscow’s involvement was likely facilitated by the Georgian government’s close alignment with Russian interests, and she urged Georgian citizens to join a mass protest rally in Tbilisi on Monday night against what she called “a total falsification” of the election.
The Georgian Dream party, founded by billionaire and former prime minister Bidzina Ivanishvili, claimed 54.8% of the vote, according to the Central Election Commission. However, European election monitors highlighted significant irregularities and reported issues such as vote-buying, intimidation, and instances of double voting. Despite these findings, Georgian Dream’s leadership has described the victory as legitimate, with Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze declaring that “any attempts to talk about election manipulation… are doomed to failure.”
Response from the West and Russia
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken responded on social media, urging Georgia to address electoral “deficiencies” and move toward an “Euro-Atlantic future.” Meanwhile, European Council President Charles Michel called for a thorough investigation into the alleged election irregularities and emphasized Georgia’s need to demonstrate its commitment to democratic principles if it seeks EU membership.
The Kremlin, however, rejected claims of interference, with spokesperson Dmitry Peskov insisting that Russia is not “meddling in Georgia’s internal affairs.” Instead, he accused the West of influencing the election outcome and attempting to incite instability in the region.
EU Membership at Stake
Georgia’s election has broad implications for its EU aspirations. The European Union suspended Georgia’s membership application in June following the passage of a “foreign influence law,” which critics say mirrors similar laws in Russia used to restrict free speech. For many Georgians, Saturday’s vote was seen as pivotal, determining whether the country would advance toward EU integration or continue on a path more closely aligned with Moscow.
The election campaign was fraught with tension, marked by widespread reports of Russian-backed misinformation and “anti-Western and hostile rhetoric” from Georgian Dream, according to Antonio López-Istúriz White, head of the European Parliament’s monitoring delegation. These issues have sparked significant discontent among Georgian citizens, particularly those in urban areas like Tbilisi, where Georgian Dream received less than 44% of the vote, compared to nearly 90% in some rural districts.
Rising Political Tensions in Georgia
As the political climate grows increasingly polarized, opposition groups have amplified calls for closer ties with the West and less influence from Russia. Many Georgians recall the brief 2008 war with Russia, which led to Russia recognizing the independence of two Georgian regions and deploying military forces there. Georgian Dream, however, has expressed interest in “resetting” relations with Russia while also pledging support for EU membership—an ambiguous stance that has fueled suspicions of Russian influence.
Growing Calls for Transparency
Despite Georgian Dream’s electoral success, the opposition’s resistance and growing dissatisfaction from the public suggest the government could face mounting challenges. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, a vocal supporter of the ruling party, is expected to meet with Georgian officials in Tbilisi on Monday. The visit underscores the support Georgian Dream retains among conservative factions within Europe but has done little to quell domestic protests or skepticism abroad.
As protesters gather in Tbilisi, Zourabichvili’s push for international support could further shape Georgia’s future alignment with the West or Russia, influencing whether it continues toward EU membership or reinforces its ties to Moscow. The evolving situation will be closely watched by both regional and international observers as Georgia’s political tensions continue to escalate.
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