Former US Ambassador to NATO Kurt Volker: "Georgia does need new elections - not because of 2020 outcome, but to reestablish public legitimacy of institutions - after electoral reforms passed"

US foreign policy expert and former ambassador to NATO Kurt Volker does not see the need for repeat parliamentary elections in Georgia.

Volker told TV Pirveli media outlet that despite certain violations which need to be investigated, the OSCE/ODIHR has recognised last year’s elections as transparent and legitimate, but "Georgia does need new elections - not because of 2020 outcome, but to reestablish public legitimacy of institutions - after electoral reforms passed," Volker underlined. 

• Int'l observers: parliamentary elections were competitive, fundamental freedoms were respected

The political situation in Georgia has become so tense that none of the sides want to take the responsibility”, Volker said. 

Welcoming the EU-backed mediation effort led by Christian Danielsson, Kurt Vokler said the ruling party and the opposition should carry out the reforms offered by the EU mediator together.

• EU-mediated talks between Georgian political parties fail again

Last week the ruling Georgian Dream party and the opposition failed to come to an agreement in the EU-mediated talks for the second time in Georgia. 

The US and EU lawmakers, who are concerned with the political crisis in Georgia, have called on all parties to find the solution out of the deadlock.