EPA: U.S. Calls for Action Amid Georgia’s Election Controversy
Thousands of protesters took to the streets of Georgia on Monday night, expressing their dissent against the recent election results, which have been marred by accusations of fraud and violation of democratic processes. U.S. President Joe Biden urged the Georgian government to address international concerns regarding the extensive violations reported during Saturday’s election, in which the ruling Georgian Dream party claimed nearly 54% of the vote. Biden voiced alarm over the country’s democratic erosion, emphasizing the need for an investigation into alleged intimidation and ballot-stuffing.
Salome Zourabichvili, Georgia’s pro-Western president, has condemned the election outcome, suggesting it was influenced by a "Russian special operation." She aligns with four opposition parties advocating for transparency and justice in electoral processes. The European Union has echoed these sentiments, halting Georgia’s membership bid and labeling the recent electoral developments as "deeply worrying."
The Georgian Dream government, led by Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, dismissed these criticisms, stating that issues were limited to a few polling stations. However, allegations of vote-buying, improper use of voter identification, and “carousel voting” have surfaced, with monitoring group My Vote detailing extensive violations that they claim could have affected the integrity of the elections.
Adding to the controversy, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s visit to Georgia to support the government’s stance sparked discontent among EU member states. Orban’s comments regarding the election being "free and democratic" were met with skepticism on the European front, further complicating diplomatic relations.
The situation remains tense as the opposition calls for accountability and the government defends its electoral practices amid growing concerns of authoritarianism and external influence.
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