US, EU call for probe after reports of Georgia election violations

The U.S. and EU are calling for a full investigation into Georgia's contested election, as President Zourabichvili urges protests over results that strengthen ties with Russia.

The United States and the European Union have called for a comprehensive investigation into reported election violations in Georgia, where the president urged protests following a contested parliamentary vote on Monday.

With nearly all precincts reporting, the results marked a setback for pro-Western Georgians, who had framed the election as a choice between the ruling party, known for strengthening ties with Russia, and an opposition committed to accelerating European integration.

President Salome Zourabichvili urged citizens to protest Saturday's parliamentary election results, which the electoral commission claimed were won by the ruling Georgian Dream party with nearly 54% of the vote. Opposition groups disputed the outcome, citing significant irregularities reported by monitors.

On Sunday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that the United States supports calls from observers for a full investigation, saying, “Going forward, we encourage Georgia's political leaders to respect the rule of law, repeal legislation that undermines fundamental freedoms, and address deficiencies in the electoral process together.”

The European Union had earlier urged Georgia to conduct a prompt and transparent inquiry into the reported voting irregularities, asserting in a joint statement with EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, “The EU recalls that any legislation that undermines the fundamental rights and freedoms of Georgian citizens and runs counter to the values and principles upon which the EU is founded, must be repealed.”

Zourabichvili, once aligned with Georgian Dream and elected president in 2018 as an independent, urged Georgians to assemble in central Tbilisi on Monday evening to demonstrate to the world their refusal to accept the election results.

The election results present a potential setback for the EU’s goal of expanding to include more former Soviet countries. 

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