Georgia’s Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze acknowledges that there are always “irregularities” in elections but denies any allegations of fraud. He described the election outcome as a “landslide” victory, dismissing claims of vote manipulation and violence. Kobakhidze emphasized that irregularities are common in every country, stating that the majority of polling stations were peaceful despite a few incidents in specific precincts. The ruling Georgian Dream party secured an outright majority of 54%, although opposition TV channel exit polls indicated success for four opposition parties. President Salome Zourabichvili criticized the “total falsification” of the vote and urged opposition supporters to gather outside parliament. Election observers noted an “uneven playing field,” suggesting that vote violations may have impacted the results. The US and EU supported calls for an independent investigation, with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken urging Georgian leaders to uphold the rule of law and address electoral process deficiencies. Despite accusations of vote fraud, Kobakhidze maintained that the elections were conducted in line with legal principles and democratic standards. The opposition, rejecting the election results, called for a mass rally to defend their constitutional rights. The European Union froze Georgia’s bid to join, citing democratic regression, and expressed concern over the country’s alignment with Russia. Georgian Dream’s victory has raised speculation about the nation’s future relations with Moscow, but Kobakhidze denied allegations of pro-Russian sentiments within the government.
