EU reiterates ‘Georgian elections were competitive’ amid opposition’s demands for repeat elections
The EU-Georgia Association Council said that the October parliamentary elections elections in Georgia ‘were competitive and that, overall, fundamental freedoms were respected.’ Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge.
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EU officials and the document released after the recent, 6th EU-Georgia Association Council meeting in Brussels say that the October 31, 2020 Georgian parliamentary elections, as well as the second round of the elections in November 2020, were ‘competitive.’
The view contradicts the position of most of the Georgian opposition parties which have won seats in the 10th convocation of the state legislature, which have refused to take up their mandates and have been demanding repeat elections since the race.
The conduct of repeat elections is among the three demands of the opposition in the currently ongoing EU-mediated talks with the ruling Georgian Dream party, along with the release of opposition leader Nika Melia and the co-founder of the opposition-minded Mtavari Arkhi TV channel Giorgi Rurua.
After meetings with EU officials in Brussels yesterday and the EU-Georgia Association Council meeting the same day, Georgian PM Irakli Garibashvili stated that ‘no repeat elections will take place.’
Had a very fruitful meeting @JosepBorrellF on domestic political developments & praised ???????? mediation efforts. Discussed the geopolitical landscape & challenges in the occupied territories. Focussed on implementation of the AA, successful multi-sectoral co-op&our future agenda. pic.twitter.com/LT0FhXYoj1
— Irakli Garibashvili (@GharibashviliGe) March 16, 2021
As for the release of Melia, who was arrested on February 23, 2021 for his refusal to pay bail and Rurua, who was convicted last year for the illegal possession and wearing of firearms, Garibashvili said that solving the issues ‘is up to the courts and not to the government.’
Vice-President of European Commission and High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell Fontelles told journalists after the same press-conference in Brussels that ‘per OSCE/ODIHR Georgian elections were free and competitive.’
The Association Council also said that the elections ‘were competitive and that, overall, fundamental freedoms were respected.’
The document said that the EU ‘called for a swift resolution to the ongoing political situation, for all parties to step up efforts to de-escalate the situation and come together to identify and agree on common ground.’
Georgian opposition parties have accused the government of fabricating the elections and have been demanding repeat elections since November 2020. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge.
The Association Council agreed that it was vital for all actors to continue working, in the EU-supported mediation, to find an early resolution to Georgia’s political crisis,” said the document.
The EU mediator in the talks between the ruling Georgian Dream party and the opposition Christian Danielsson arrived in Georgia on March 12.
He had plans to stay in the country for three days. However, he had to continue his visit because the parties have not come to an agreement so far.
The opposition says that reaching the agreement is up to the government.
Vice-President of European Commission and High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell Fontelles stated at the press conference following the EU-Georgia Association Council earlier today that this meeting is being held in a ‘pivotal moment’ for Georgia amid the current political crisis.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, who met with the European Council President Charles Michel in Brussels yesterday, has told journalists that the Georgian ruling party and the opposition must come to an agreement amid the current political tension, but a solution ‘must not be found at the expense of state interests.’
Georgian opposition parties say that Christian Danielsson, who is the EU mediator in the talks between the ruling Georgian Dream party and the opposition, will stay in Tbilisi until the parties come to an agreement on the issues of repeat parliamentary elections and the release of opposition leader Nika Melia.
The EU mediator in the talks between the ruling Georgian Dream party and the opposition amid the current political tension, Christian Danielsson, has stated that the parties should themselves find a solution to the situation with the help of mediation. He stated that Georgia ‘is a valuable partner’ for the EU and that the EU is concerned by the ‘current political deadlock’ in the country.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili met with European Parliament President David Sassoli and MEPs in Brussels earlier today.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said at a joint press conference with Georgian Prime MInister Irakli Garibashvili in Brussels today that ‘the recent political developments in Georgia are worrying’. Expressing NATO’s support for the mediation efforts of the European Union Jens Stoltenberg encouraged PM Garibashvili ‘to work with the opposition to find common ground and common solutions’.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili has stated following his recent visit to Brussels that the EU top officials have reaffirmed Georgia’s 2020 parliamentary elections were ‘free and competitive’ and that the demands of the Georgian opposition parties for repeat elections ‘have no grounds.’
The EU mediator in the talks between the ruling Georgian Dream party and the opposition on the issues of repeat parliamentary elections and the release of opposition figures Christian Danielsson will travel back to Georgia by the end of the week to help the parties to come to an agreement on ‘two most challenging issues.’