Georgian PM claims ruling party in “solid” position ahead of parliamentary elections

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Wednesday claimed the ruling Georgian Dream party was in a “solid” electoral position with a “60-percent support” among voters ahead of the parliamentary elections scheduled for October.

In his comments at a briefing held at the party’s new central office, Kobakhidze said the party would “do everything to obtain the highest possible results” at the elections.

We need maximum legitimacy in order to ensure further development of our country and to finally defeat liberal fascism in Georgia. This is what needs maximum legitimacy, which we will definitely obtain in these parliamentary elections”, he said.

You are aware that in 2012 Georgian Dream ended the practice of rigging elections in the past, which had been one of the primary characteristics of the previous [United National Movement] Government. Georgian Dream, of course, will do everything to ensure the 2024 parliamentary elections are held in free and fair conditions”, he added.

The PM also emphasised the importance of conducting elections in a “peaceful and calm environment”, and alleged apart from “several liberal-fascist attacks” on representatives of the ruling party, the election process would take place in “essentially peaceful circumstances”.

The Government head noted the elections would be “widely observed” by international observation missions, to which the Georgian authorities had already extended corresponding invitations.

The official also pointed out the introduction of electronic voting for the first time across the country, adding it would ensure the elections would be held at a “very high level” as the technology would “minimise errors” during voting.