Blinken condemns Georgia’s election irregularities, calls for full investigation

In a statement following Georgia’s Saturday’s general elections, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed concern over irregularities and misconduct, urging a comprehensive investigation.

He praised the Georgian people’s commitment to democracy, evidenced by high turnout, but noted that international and local observers had documented significant flaws in the pre-election environment, including misuse of public resources, vote-buying, and intimidation by the ruling party.

These issues, he stated, eroded public trust and compromised the fairness of the electoral process.

While Election Day itself was deemed generally well-managed, reports of sporadic violence and further irregularities were flagged by observers, who refrained from declaring the election free and fair.

Blinken condemned these violations of international norms and stressed the need for Georgia’s political leaders to uphold the rule of law, protect civil rights, and repeal any restrictive legislation that undermines freedoms.

He added that Georgia’s aspirations for European and Euro-Atlantic integration hinge on the government’s commitment to respecting the rights of civil society and the fundamental freedoms of all Georgian citizens. Blinken’s call for reforms highlights ongoing concerns about Georgia’s democratic integrity amid its pursuit of closer ties with Western allies.