The European Parliament on Thursday adopted a resolution rejecting the results of the recent parliamentary elections in Georgia.
Kaha KaladzeThe press release from the EU legislative body states that the elections on October 26 in Georgia are «neither free nor fair» and represent «a continuing rollback of the country from democracy».
«Members of the European Parliament condemn the numerous and serious violations during the elections, including documented cases of voter intimidation, vote manipulation, interference with the activities of election observers and the media, as well as reports of manipulations using electronic voting machines», the press release states.
European lawmakers called for rerun elections in the country within a year, provided that international observers are present.
The European Parliament also recommended that the EU limit official contacts with the Georgian government and impose personal sanctions against officials who, in the lawmakers' opinion, are «responsible for the departure from democracy and violations of electoral laws».
Among these officials, the resolution mentions Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, Tbilisi Mayor, Secretary General of the ruling party «Georgian Dream» and former Dynamo Kyiv football player Kaha Kaladze, Speaker of the Georgian Parliament Shalva Papuashvili, and former Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili.
Earlier, Prime Minister Kobakhidze stated that Georgia is rejecting negotiations on joining the European Union until the end of 2028. Following Kobakhidze's statement, protests began in Georgian cities.
