EU Lawmakers Urge Fair Election Investigation During Georgia Visit
By Liza Mchedlidze
Tuesday, November 12, 2024
Senior lawmakers from eight EU nations-Germany, France, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Sweden, and Finland visited Georgia, meeting first with President Salome Zourabichvili. The visit, focusing on Georgia's political crisis and recent controversial parliamentary elections, included a press conference with President Zourabichvili and German Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Michael Roth. Government officials declined to meet with the delegation.
President Zourabichvili welcomed the delegation as "devoted friends of Georgia," underscoring their commitment to Georgia's democratic journey. She emphasized the country's current crisis, describing the October 26 elections as marred by "one-party management" and "rigged processes," leading to a "legitimacy" crisis for the government. Zourabichvili expressed hope that the delegation's presence would help chart a path toward restoring trust in Georgia's institutions.
Michael Roth, speaking for the EU delegation, reaffirmed their role as "friends of the Georgian people" while addressing Georgia's government's claims of external interference. "We are not here to promote regime change," he clarified. Roth cited "serious concerns" regarding alleged vote manipulation, voter intimidation, and violations of ballot secrecy, which he argued compromised the integrity of the election.
Roth voiced strong support for an independent investigation into these issues. He warned that if local authorities fail to ensure transparency, international bodies like the Council of Europe and the OSCE may need to step in.
"Without clarification of these allegations, the EU cannot recognize these elections as legitimate," he stated.
The German lawmaker also suggested potential consequences if Georgia's government obstructs a credible investigation. "We will call for individual sanctions against those responsible," he warned, suggesting even visa-free travel to the EU could be reconsidered if democratic principles continue to erode. He urged the Georgian government to abandon "anti-European" policies, such as the Russian-style Foreign Agent law, which he claimed could hinder Georgia's EU ambitions.
As the delegation spoke, demonstrators gathered outside Orbeliani Palace, thanking the EU lawmakers for their support in challenging the contested election results. Members of the delegation, including Roth, briefly joined the protesters.
