The spokesperson for the European External Action Service explained, on Sunday 1 November, that it was essential to ensure the highest democratic standards throughout the electoral process in Georgia, including the second round of parliamentary elections to be held on 21 November.
After the first round on 31 October, according to provisional results, the party in power, the ‘Georgian Dream’, was in the lead with 48% of the vote against 45.5% for the opposition, dominated by the United National Movement. The opposition rejected these results, denouncing massive fraud, and called for a large demonstration on 8 November.
“It is important that all parties continue to adhere to democratic principles and standards and respect for human rights. Ensuring conditions for a free and pluralistic media environment is extremely important including to allow voters to make a fully informed choice”, the spokesperson stressed in a statement issued after the first round.
Four MEPs involved in EU-Georgia relations - the Germans David McAllister (EPP) and Viola von Cramon-Taubadel (Greens/EFA) and the Estonians S&D Marina Kaljurand and Sven Mikser - called for calm between the two rounds, saying that the European Parliament would keep a close eye on developments during the rest of the election period, including the day of the second round.
According to the preliminary conclusions of the OSCE, the Council of Europe and NATO, the first round was competitive and, overall, fundamental freedoms were respected. Candidates were able to campaign freely, giving voters a real choice between several programmes. Although the media and the political landscape is still very polarised, “resulting in harsh rhetoric from all sides”, according to MEPs, this has been to a lesser extent than during the 2018 presidential election.
However, observers pointed to pervasive allegations of pressure on voters and a blurred separation between the ruling party and the state throughout the campaign and on election day, “which reduced public confidence in some aspects of the process”, according to the EEAS spokesperson.
The spokesperson, like MEPs, called for fair, transparent and rigorous treatment of all complaints and appeals.
Stressing that the revised legal framework provided a solid basis for the holding of democratic elections, the spokesperson said that the recent legislative amendments had partially addressed previous OSCE and Council of Europe recommendations. According to the spokesperson “it will be important to continue addressing shortcomings in the electoral framework, including the final recommendations of the OSCE, through an inclusive dialogue, after the second round”.
For MEPs, the issue of campaign financing needs to be addressed further, in line with long-standing OSCE recommendations. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)