European rapporteur calls for peace ahead of runoff elections

The Council of Europe Congress of Local and Regional Authorities Rapporteur is calling for a democratic political campaigning environment ahead of the second round of local elections held in Georgia this weekend.

The runoff elections will be held on 12 July throughout Georgia, said Congress spokesperson on election observation Jos Wienen, who also reminded all political stakeholders to refrain from degrading or hateful discourse and violent action.

"The Government and opposition alike should do their best to ensure a fair and democratic campaign environment during the last days before these important runoff elections,” Wienen said.

"All stakeholders should contribute to deescalating the situation and avoid declarations or actions which could create unnecessary tensions,” he added.

Following last week’s arrest of Tbilisi’s former Mayor and chief campaign manager of United National Movement (UNM) Gigi Ugulava, Wienen stressed that an extended moratorium on investigations and detentions of former officials until after the run-off elections would have been preferable.

The Congress rapporteur called on Georgian authorities to ensure all legal proceedings will be carried out according to European standards for independent jurisdiction.

The runoff elections will be held in 13 Georgian municipalities and Mayoral races in eight self-governing cities including the capital city Tbilisi.