Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili on Monday called on Western countries to support opposition protests against the weekend vote results. Although the ruling Georgian Dream party won the parliamentary elections, there were doubts about the legitimacy of the elections, and there were also suspicions of Russian interference.
Zurabishvili did not accept the vote results. She told The Associated Press that the South Caucasian country had fallen victim to Russian pressure aimed at derailing Georgia's plans to join the European Union.
In its own style, the Kremlin rejected accusations of interference. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: “We do not interfere in Georgia's internal affairs, and we do not intend to do so.”
Protests in Georgia. “Complete vote theft”
Zurabishvili on Sunday called on Georgians to take part in a rally planned for Monday night on Tbilisi's main street to protest what she called “complete fraud, complete theft of votes.”
Georgians responded to the president's appeal. Thousands of people gathered in front of the Diet to express their opposition.
In an interview with The Associated Press, she said protests were the only way Georgians could “express that their vote was stolen and their future was stolen.”
See also: Georgia: President does not recognize election results. “Operation Russia”
He also expressed hope that the US and EU will support the demonstrations. “We need strong support from our European and American partners,” the president said, adding that stability in the Caucasus region is in the interest of a “strong Europe.”
Georgia's president appeals to Western countries. there is a reaction
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged Georgia's political leaders to “respect the rule of law, repeal laws that undermine fundamental freedoms, address flaws in our electoral processes, and position Georgia for a Euro-Atlantic future.” “We must move forward towards this goal.”
See also: Andrzej Duda met with the President of Georgia. “A very uncertain situation after the election.”
Meanwhile, European Council President Charles Michel called on Georgian authorities for a “prompt, transparent and independent investigation” into electoral fraud. He added that Georgian Dream should demonstrate a “firm commitment” to the EU.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán became the first foreign leader to celebrate the Georgian dream. He was also scheduled to visit Georgia on Monday and Tuesday.
On Monday, Andrzej Duda spoke by phone with Salome Zurabishvili. “We discussed the very worrying situation in Georgia after the last parliamentary elections. I reiterated Poland's unwavering support for the Euro-Atlantic aspirations of the Georgian people,” the president said via social media.
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