The US and the European Union have called for a full investigation into reports of violations in the Georgian elections, where the president called for protests following a contentious parliamentary vote, writes Reuters. The ruling party «Georgian Dream», labeled as «pro-Kremlin», garnered almost 54% of the votes, while opposition parties and the country's president did not recognize the election results, and election observers reported significant violations.
President Salome Zourabichvili urged people to take to the streets in protest against the official results of the parliamentary elections. She believes that Georgia must show the whole world, «that we do not recognize these elections».
On Sunday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that the United States joins the observers' calls for a full investigation. «Going forward, we urge Georgia's political leaders to respect the rule of law, repeal legislation undermining fundamental freedoms, and work together to address deficiencies in the electoral process», reads Blinken's statement.
Previously, the European Union urged Georgia to promptly and transparently investigate the alleged violations during the voting process.
«The EU reminds that any legislation undermining the fundamental rights and freedoms of Georgian citizens and contradicting the values and principles on which the EU is founded must be repealed», states the joint declaration of the European Commission and EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell.
For many years, Georgia has been one of the most pro-Western countries emerging from the Soviet Union. In 2008, Russia attacked Georgia, however, according to the country's Central Election Commission, citizens chose a non-European path. The election results challenge the EU's aspiration to expand by incorporating new former Soviet republics.
Last week, Moldova narrowly approved its accession to the EU in a national referendum.