SwedenLivingWorld world_2_fill WorldBusiness BusinessSports sports-soccer SportsEntertainmentEntertain

Countries demand answers after disputed election in Georgia

A number of Western countries are questioning the weekend's election in Georgia, which ended with the pro-Russian ruling party Georgian Dream proclaiming victory. Sweden's Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard (The Moderate Party) says she is "seriously concerned".

» Published: 28 October 2024

Countries demand answers after disputed election in Georgia
Photo: Risto Bozovic/AP/TT

"Seriously concerned about the irregularities in Georgia's election as reported by Osse/Odihr and other observers", writes Malmer Stenergard on X.

In a first statement from the International Election Observation Mission IEOM, where the organizations Osse and Odihr are included, widespread pressure on voters and mapping of voters are reported.

"To restore confidence, I urge the Georgian authorities to credibly address this concern in an inclusive political process", writes Malmer Stenergard.

"Find out what happened"

Also among others, Denmark's, Norway's and France's foreign ministers express concern in statements on X, as well as EU Council President Charles Michel and Foreign Affairs Chief Josep Borrell.

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen says that Georgians have "the right to find out what happened".

For so many years now, the Georgian people have strived for and fought for democracy. They have the right to find out what happened over the weekend. And they have the right to see that irregularities related to the election are investigated quickly, openly and independently, says von der Leyen in a speech at the College of Europe in the Belgian city of Bruges.

USA: Respect the law

USA's Foreign Minister Antony Blinken urges Georgia's leaders to "respect the law, repeal legislation that undermines fundamental freedoms, address shortcomings in the electoral process and guide Georgia towards its Euro-Atlantic future". Blinken wants to see a full investigation of all reports of irregularities surrounding the election.

Russia, Hungary, Armenia and Azerbaijan, on the other hand, congratulate Georgian Dream on their victory.

State-controlled media in Georgia hail the election result and refer to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe's (Osse) observers, but without mentioning the reported irregularities.

Tags
TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

Man killed in explosion outside Brazil's Supreme Court
1 MIN READ

Man killed in explosion outside Brazil's Supreme Court

Israel attacks southern Beirut
1 MIN READ

Israel attacks southern Beirut

Flowers and Candles Removed After Attack in China
1 MIN READ

Flowers and Candles Removed After Attack in China

NATO Base Inaugurated in Poland
1 MIN READ

NATO Base Inaugurated in Poland

Trump nominates several ministers
2 MIN READ

Trump nominates several ministers

Forecast: Republicans Win the House of Representatives
1 MIN READ

Forecast: Republicans Win the House of Representatives

Heyerdahl took skulls to Norway – being returned
2 MIN READ

Heyerdahl took skulls to Norway – being returned

He becomes the Republicans' new leader in the Senate
1 MIN READ

He becomes the Republicans' new leader in the Senate

Biden to Trump: Welcome back
1 MIN READ

Biden to Trump: Welcome back

Multiple killed in attack on "safe zone"
1 MIN READ

Multiple killed in attack on "safe zone"

CIA employee arrested – leaked Israeli attack plan
1 MIN READ

CIA employee arrested – leaked Israeli attack plan

Armored Vehicle Overturns: 23 Conscripts Injured in Finland
1 MIN READ

Armored Vehicle Overturns: 23 Conscripts Injured in Finland

"Grow up!" - Crisis and Anger over Next EU Leadership
3 MIN READ

"Grow up!" - Crisis and Anger over Next EU Leadership

After the Crisis Week: Scholz Confirms the Timeline
1 MIN READ

After the Crisis Week: Scholz Confirms the Timeline

Netanyahu cannot postpone his testimony
1 MIN READ

Netanyahu cannot postpone his testimony

Ukraine: Killed High-Ranking Russian Military Officer
1 MIN READ

Ukraine: Killed High-Ranking Russian Military Officer

Mother after hostage video of son: No time left
2 MIN READ

Mother after hostage video of son: No time left

"No EU Protection for Ukrainian Defiance Phrase"
1 MIN READ

"No EU Protection for Ukrainian Defiance Phrase"

South Korea's leader dusts off golf clubs for Trump
1 MIN READ

South Korea's leader dusts off golf clubs for Trump

After "The Black Swan" – Lawyers Must Draw the Line
1 MIN READ

After "The Black Swan" – Lawyers Must Draw the Line