Opposition Coalitions Urge PACE to Reject Parliamentary Delegation Over Flawed Elections
By Liza Mchedlidze
Friday, January 10, 2025
Three Georgian opposition coalitions have called on the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) to withhold confirmation of Georgia's parliamentary delegation, citing the country's recent elections as deeply flawed. In a letter addressed to the PACE president, the opposition described the October 26, 2024, parliamentary elections as riddled with violations and against international standards as well as the will of the Georgian people.
The opposition claims that the resulting parliament and president are illegitimate and argue that any delegation submitted by the ruling Georgian Dream party represents a self-declared regime. The letter also highlights the role of Georgian Dream's leader, Bidzina Ivanishvili, who is under international sanctions, in the country's democratic backsliding and human rights abuses. Opposition leaders are demanding the immediate release of political prisoners and the organization of new, free, and fair elections to address Georgia's deepening political crisis.
"Dear President, We, representatives of Georgian political parties, request that you refrain from confirming the credentials of Georgia's parliamentary delegation in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. The parliamentary elections held on October 26, 2024, were conducted with serious violations, contrary to international standards and the will of the Georgian people.
The 'parliament' formed as a result of these fraudulent elections, along with the 'president' elected by it, lack legitimacy. Any delegation presented to the Assembly by the ruling Georgian Dream party consists solely of representatives of a self-declared regime.
It is also important to note that Georgian Dream's leaders, including Bidzina Ivanishvili, are under international sanctions and bear responsibility for the country's democratic backsliding and widespread human rights abuses. Peaceful protestors in Georgia face repression, arrests, and violence, further deepening the crisis.
Our demands are as follows: - The immediate release of all political prisoners. - The holding of new, free, and fair elections.
The principled stance of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe is crucial to safeguarding democratic values in Georgia.
Sincerely, Representatives of Georgian Political Parties," reads the statement by three opposition coalition parties to PACE.
