While international and local observers agreed that Election Day was generally well administered, we note reports of irregularities and sporadic violence. International observers have not declared the result to be free and fair. We condemn all contraventions of international norms and join calls from international and local observers for a full investigation of all reports of election-related violations,
The fear of war played a significant role,
As long as countries and nations think independently and do not unquestioningly follow the orders of their Washington curators, they have a future."
These alleged irregularities must be seriously clarified and addressed. We reiterate the EU’s call to the Georgian leadership to demonstrate its firm commitment to the country’s EU path,
Contestants could generally campaign freely,
It is opposition candidates, activists, and facilities that are facing violent attacks,
This is a welcome result for Moscow,
This represents an important signal for Kremlin policy in the post-Soviet space, which could become a model conflict in the region for the coming years,
Russia sees the country as a prize in a contest with the EU, which had offered Tbilisi candidacy. This last now seems unlikely to move forward anytime soon,
Of course we have to address these irregularities happening on the day of the election or before,
There is zero space for manipulation."
The only way Georgian Dream can remain in power and turn this fraudulent victory into an ability to govern is by cracking down more on media and political freedom
The West has never understood Russian hybrid war in principle - they do not understand the rules of the Kremlin game
This was a total rigging, a total robbery of your votes.
We have lost our country today. I don’t know what to do next. I hope we can take to the streets, but if we lose, maybe I will live abroad.”
Staying in power is an existential matter of survival for Ivanshvili,
It is tempting for the opposition to dismiss that Ivanishivli’s party has no support, that they completely bought the elections,
He is appeasing Russia, but I see no reason to suggest that he is owned or run by Russia and that’s an important distinction,
It is very simple, Ivanishvili actually does what he says. He promises to outlaw and jail his opponents and have no reason to doubt he will try to do that,
I could tell you anything and you wouldn’t be able to check it.”