PM claims “unprecedented external interference” ahead of parliamentary elections

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Friday claimed the upcoming parliamentary elections scheduled for October 26 would be held on the backdrop of “unprecedented external interference”.

In his remarks, the Government head called the development a “gross violation” of electoral principles.

Kobakhidze further claimed his Government was “hearing threats and blackmails”, and further alleged the messages were caused by the authorities “refusing to allow opening of a second front” in the country amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Russia does not have the resources to exert any significant influence on the election processes in Georgia. As for the general picture, it is very unfortunate that this year's elections are held amid unprecedented external interference, which is a gross violation of electoral principles and is very unfortunate”, the PM said.

“We hear threats, blackmail. The only reason for this is that we did not open a second front in the country. Because of this, certain people are disappointed, and they hope that after these elections they will manage to return their agent network to power in order to open a second front, which they will never succeed in, because the Georgian public will never bring back such a force, the authors of the bloody regime [of the former United National Movement Government], to power”, Kobakhidze continued.

He further highlighted the role of the State Security Service in ensuring “peace and security” in the country.