Responding to the recent election in Georgia, U.S. President Joe Biden says he is concerned by what he called the country’s democratic backsliding and urged a probe into Saturday’s poll that he says was marred by misuse of resources, coercion and voter intimidation.
Biden, in a statement released Tuesday, called on Georgia’s government “to transparently investigate all election irregularities, to repeal laws such as the so-called 'Foreign Influence Law' that limits freedoms of assembly and expression, and to begin an immediate, inclusive dialogue with all political forces in Georgia about restoring election integrity.”
He said the U.S. “has long stood with the Georgian people” and supported “Georgia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and Euro-Atlantic aspirations.”
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban visited Georgia two days after the elections to show support for the Georgian government.
At a joint press conference Tuesday with Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, Orban said, "I am convinced that nobody can question the legitimacy of the elections held in Georgia.
"No one should be dragged into a war unnecessarily, and the Georgian people have made their decision very clearly," he added, echoing the Georgian government's position that voting for the opposition would mean a war with Russia.
While Orban stood side by side with the Georgian prime minister, other European Union foreign ministers in a joint statement voiced concerns about the conduct of the critical vote in the country of 3.7 million.
"The elections in Georgia were held under difficult conditions, and there are serious concerns about how the process was conducted,” the statement read. “Upholding the rule of law and free and fair elections is integral to any progress on Georgia’s EU path. We criticize Prime Minister Orban’s premature visit to Georgia. He does not speak on behalf of the EU,” it added.
Orbán, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s closest partner in the European Union, is the first foreign leader to visit Georgia following Saturday's vote.
Late Monday, Georgians flooded the streets of Tbilisi to protest what they saw as a fraudulent election that secured another term for the ruling Georgian Dream Party. Tens of thousands gathered outside the parliament building on Rustaveli Avenue, with Georgian, U.S. and European flags waving and voices calling for new elections.
The rally, which opposition leaders called a show of defiance, came just two days after the release of preliminary results, which reported Georgian Dream leading with 53.9% of the vote, while the Coalition for Change, the Unity-National Movement and other opposition groups significantly trailed.
Speaking to the crowd, Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili, who has been critical of the government, took a bold stance.
"You who are here did not lose the election. Your vote was stolen, and they tried to steal your future,” she said. "I can swear that I will be with you until the end on this European road, and until we reach the door of Europe, which is not our dream but a reality. We have no other future and alternative.”
The government denies the accusations. Shalva Papuashvili, chair of the parliament, said, "The elections were held in full compliance with democratic standards. The results reflect the will of the Georgian people, and any claims of widespread fraud are baseless.”
The opposition alleges the election was rigged, while concerns have also been raised by Western countries and international observers.
Larisa, one of the protesters wrapped in the European Union flag, expressed hope.
"We have faith in our European and American allies. There's always a reason to fight, and the truth must prevail," she said.
She added, "The elections were obviously rigged, and on such a massive scale that it's unimaginable. Until this government changes, I will continue to be here. This is the only path we have left."
Ana, a 20-year-old first-time voter, shared her disappointment.
"I've never been this disappointed before. I can't believe this is happening. I truly hoped for change."
Another protester, Giga, said, "The people of Georgia are ready to fight until the end to bring our country back to the Euro-Atlantic path. We cannot and will not accept Russian occupation in any form."
Giga added, "In many rural areas, 60 to 70 percent of the population relies entirely on state assistance. The pressure there is immense, especially in regions where young people have left, and there's no foundation of youth support. The government exploits this vulnerability, putting immense pressure on our parents' generation."
The results show that Georgian Dream enjoyed major vote gains in the regions, raising suspicions of fraud. In the municipality of Abasha, the ruling party increased its vote total by 19.98% over its showing in 2021 local elections. In another municipality, Dmanisi, the party’s vote total increased by 25%.
The party, which is about to begin a fourth term, gathered more than 639,000 votes in the rural areas, reaching above 80% support in ethnic minority regions where fraud over decades remains an issue.
In a significant move, all four major opposition parties have declared they will not take their seats in parliament, refusing to legitimize what they describe as a stolen election. Opposition leaders have called for a new vote, arguing that only fresh elections can restore public trust and legitimacy.
"We demand elections that genuinely reflect the will of the Georgian people, free from manipulation and fraud,” Giorgi Vashadze of the Unity-National Movement said.
Observers from election watchdog, the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, highlighted "numerous irregularities" in the voting process and pointed to the controversial foreign agent law adopted in June, which restricted freedoms and influenced the election environment.
