Germany, Latvia confirm transparency and fairness of Georgia’s elections
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Germany and Latvia are congratulating Georgia on "the successful first round of its Parliamentary Elections”.
Foreign Minister of Germany Frank-Walter Steinmeier released a statement yesterday congratulating Georgia on hosting open and fair Parliamentary Elections, noting this was a test of democracy for the country.
Georgia has once again demonstrated maturity and functionality of its young democracy,” said Steinmeier.
The Foreign Minister noted international observers agreed the elections were carried out transparently and fairly in Georgia.
According to the judgment of international observers including the European Union, the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and Europe, the elections were well organised and have almost met our European standards of fairness and transparency everywhere,” he added.
Steinmeier noted high international standards must be maintained for the runoff elections.
Georgian voters have clearly shown they continue to endorse a determined policy of rapprochement with Europe and the associated reforms in a large majority.
I am looking forward to the second round of Parliamentary Elections and the subsequent formation of a government with the new Georgian government confidently closely and proven,” Steinmeier said.
Meanwhile the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia also commended Georgia on hosting the Parliamentary Elections in Georgia, for the fact that "a democratic process was ensured, the elections were well-administered, political competition was present, and fundamental freedoms were observed”.
The Election Day was largely peaceful and the counting of votes is taking place in line with international standards,” said the Latvian Ministry's statement.
Ahead of the second round of elections, the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs called for peace to continue and it urged all political parties to refrain from engaging in confrontation and to demonstrate respect for democratic principles and the will of the Georgian people.
Representatives from the Saeima (the Latvian Parliament), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Central Election Commission all observed Saturday's elections in Georgia.
The statement also stressed Latvia would continue supporting the building of close relations between Georgia and the European Union, and Georgia and NATO.
Monitoring groups and thousands of international observers have confirmed the October 8 Parliamentary Elections in Georgia expressed the will of the Georgian people and reaffirmed the country's democratic credentials.
UPDATED 17:10
The third party, the Alliance of Patriots, has overcome the 5% threshold for entering the ninth Parliament of Georgia, latest preliminary results show. The Alliance of Patriots party currently has 5.00323% of total votes.
The majority of Georgian citizens living abroad have voted to keep Georgian Dream in power.
Georgia’s Central Election Commission has finished counting majoritarian votes from all 73 districts countrywide. In 20 districts a candidate from Georgian Dream won, while a second round will be held in the remaining 50 districts.
Georgia’s Central Election Commission has counted all votes cast in Saturday's Parliamentary Election. As of 11am today three parties received enough votes to gain seats in Parliament.
United States (US) Ambassador to Georgia Ian Kelly agrees with international observers and says Saturday’s Parliamentary Elections in Georgia were "competitive and well-administrated”.
More of the international community is positively assessing Saturday’s Parliamentary Elections in Georgia. Latest affirming statements came from Sweden and Lithuania.
"The Government of Spain welcomes the smooth manner in which the legislative elections held on Saturday, 8 October, unfolded in Georgia,” stated the country’s Foreign Ministry today.
The United States is congratulating Georgia for hosting competitive and well-administrated Parliamentary Elections on October 8 that largely respected fundamental freedoms.
Today Prime Minister of Georgia met the Ambassadors of the European Union (EU) and the United States (US) to Georgia to discuss the October 8 Parliamentary Elections.