German Ambassador believes Georgia will hold free, fair, competitive elections in 2024
The Ambassador noted that conducting elections in a fair environment was “a fundamental issue” for the European Union, emphasising its parliamentary democracies, institutions based on the rule of law, and citizens' freedoms and rights. Photo via German Embassy in Georgia
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Peter Fischer, the German Ambassador to Georgia, on Friday said he hoped and believed Georgia would hold free, fair and competitive parliamentary elections in 2024.
The Ambassador noted that conducting elections in a fair environment was “a fundamental issue” for the European Union, emphasising its parliamentary democracies, institutions based on the rule of law, and citizens' freedoms and rights.
The bloc cannot “accept a country” in the Union if there are any questions regarding the legitimacy of elections, he added.
The parliamentary elections in Georgia will be held on October 26, using electronic voting for the first time in the country.
The Georgian Foreign Ministry on February 14 addressed Matteo Mecacci, the Director of the Organisation for Security and Co-Operation in Europe Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, with an invitation to send observers for the general elections in the country.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Tuesday said new electoral legislation, electronic voting and “extensive monitoring” would ensure holding the upcoming parliamentary elections in “a free and fair environment”.
The ongoing work for public information campaigns for this year's parliamentary elections in Georgia was discussed in a meeting between Giorgi Kalandarishvili, the Chair of the Central Election Commission, and representatives of international organisations and diplomatic missions in the country.
The Georgian Foreign Ministry on Monday addressed Matteo Mecacci, the Director of the Organisation for Security and Co-Operation in Europe Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, with an invitation to send observers for the general elections in the country, set for October.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Saturday said the “main principle” for his Government was to ensure “legally sound” electoral legislation in alignment with international practice.
Paweł Herczyński, the Ambassador of the European Union to Georgia, said the bloc was “very pleased” that the Georgian Government had invited the Organisation for Security and Co-Operation in Europe Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights to observe the upcoming parliamentary elections in the country.
Giorgi Kalandarishvili, the Chair of the Central Election Commission of Georgian, on Sunday called on domestic political parties to “put national interests above political agenda” for the “common cause” of ensuring high standards for the general election in October.
Levan Davitashvili, the Georgian Minister of Economy and the First Vice Premier, on Wednesday pledged the electoral environment in the country would be “as transparent as possible” ahead of the parliamentary elections in October.
Kakha Kaladze, the Mayor of Tbilisi and the Secretary General of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Thursday warned against attempts of “illegal” change of the Government and interference in the parliamentary elections in October.
“Priority areas” of the cooperation between Georgian and German defence ministries were discussed on Friday in a meeting between the Georgian Defence Minister Irakli Chikovani and Peter Fischer, the German Ambassador to the country.