US embassy evaluates Georgian elections, congratulates president-elect
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The US embassy in Georgia has congratulated Georgian president-elect Salome Zurabishvili on her victory and made the assessments of the 28 November elections.
The embassy wrote that elections are fundamental to democracy, and in that spirit, they welcomed the assessment by the OSCE/ODIHR election observation mission that Georgian presidential runoff was “competitive and that candidates were able to campaign freely”.
We also share the mission’s concerns, and those of other international and domestic observers, about instances of misuse of state resources for partisan campaigning, among other issues.
We urge Georgian authorities to address the shortcomings raised by OSCE/ODIHR and other observers, and we are prepared to assist in these efforts.
The statement reads that the United States and Georgia are and will remain strong partners.
We fully support Georgian democracy, prosperity, territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, and western integration, and we are determined to work with our friends here toward this country’s success,” the US embassy stated.
Georgian Parliament Speaker Irakli Kobakhidze vowed that OSCE/ODIHR recommendations will be closely studied and taken into account.
OSCE/ODIHR has stated in its preliminary assessments that the second round of Georgian presidential election was competitive and candidates were able to campaign freely. However, one side enjoyed an undue advantage and the negative character of the campaign on both sides undermined the process.
The Georgian Central Election Commission has released the final results of the presidential elections. The commission has stated that 100 per cent of votes have been counted. Zurabishvili received 1,147,627 votes, while Vashadze-780,633.
The Strength in Unity opposition coalition does not recognise the results of the elections held on November 28 and demands snap parliamentary elections. The Georgian Dream ruling party endorsed presidential candidate Salome Zurabishvili received 59.52 per cent of the vote and became the first woman president elected in Georgia and the region.
The Georgian Dream ruling party endorsed independent presidential candidate Salome Zurabishvili, who based on exit polls has won the election, made her first comment and stated that her ultimate goal will be fighting for the reintegration of lost territories.
The US Department of State says that the 28 November Georgian presidential elections went smoothly, but some irregularities took place and should be addressed by the Georgian government.