Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili on Monday urged for new parliamentary elections to address the crisis arising from last month's vote, which the opposition claims was rigged in favor of the ruling party.
The European Union and the United States have demanded an investigation into alleged 'irregularities' in the October 26 election, won by the Georgian Dream party. The pro-Western opposition has rejected the election results and refused to participate in the newly elected parliament, labeling it 'illegitimate.'
Zurabishvili, who is in conflict with the governing party, has also deemed the vote illegitimate and accused Russia of interference. Moscow has denied any involvement.
During a press conference, Zurabishvili stated that the election was 'controlled and manipulated by one party,' leading to the current crisis. She emphasized the need for new elections to establish a legitimate parliament and government in Georgia.
Referring to a delegation of MPs from eight European countries, including France and Germany, who visited Georgia on Monday, Zurabishvili said, 'Our friends are here to join us in seeking out ways to help Georgia emerge from this crisis.' However, Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili declined to meet the delegation.
EU chief Charles Michel expressed 'serious suspicions of fraud, which require a serious investigation.' Prior to the election, Brussels had cautioned that the vote would impact Georgia's prospects of joining the bloc. Thousands have protested in Tbilisi against alleged electoral fraud.
Georgia's leading election monitors claimed to have uncovered evidence of a large-scale electoral fraud scheme benefiting Georgian Dream. The ruling party maintains that the vote was free and fair, and that EU membership remains its government's top priority. Critics, however, argue that the increasingly conservative party is steering Georgia away from its European path and closer to Moscow's influence.
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