PM assesses pre-election campaign

Georgia’s Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili said pre-election campaigning in Georgia for the upcoming October 8 Parliamentary Elections is proceeding without any incidents or complications.

“Pre-election campaigning was launched a month ago, and we haven’t faced any negative incidents or complications. I hope political parties will put aside their emotions and private interests and we will hold high-level elections together,” the PM said.

The PM stressed the first Inter-Agency Commission meeting would take place soon, wherein election issues will be discussed by the representatives of different state bodies, members of political parties and observation organisations, both local and foreign.

The PM said holding the Commission meeting with Minister of Justice Thea Tsulukiani would have an “important role” in making sure the election process will be comfortable for all players.

Pre-election campaigning in Georgia officially was launched on June 8.

Georgian political parties have agreed they would support the calm election environment in the country.

Meanwhile, the United National Movement opposition also says the only force which can trigger confrontation in an election or a pre-election period is the ruling team, and they demand the comprehensive investigation of a by-election clash several weeks ago which left some opposition leaders beaten.

Confrontation during the elections could be in the current Government’s interests if they wanted the country to change its foreign policy priorities.

The Government claims its course is Euro-Atlantic, and if this is really true then peaceful elections are in their interests; however, the Georgian Dream party has been continuously marred by accusations of Russian sympathy ever since coming to power in 2012.