Georgian Parliament Speaker accuses US of interfering in 2020 elections, calls for investigation

Shalva Papuashvili, the Speaker of Georgia’s Parliament, on Tuesday made allegations regarding “foreign interference” in the country’s internal politics, specifically targeting the United States’ alleged involvement in the 2020 parliamentary elections. In his statements, Papuashvili expressed his wish that the proposed Georgian People’s Act, introduced by US Senators in May, would lead to an investigation into American officials’ roles in the alleged manipulation of election results.

Papuashvili asserted the release of “fake” parallel vote tabulation (PVT) results by the US-funded International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy constituted a “direct interference” in Georgia’s electoral process. He argued that the actions, allegedly supported by US representatives, including then-Ambassador Kelly Degnan, contributed to political unrest following the elections.

Emphasizing the need for accountability, Papuashvili stated, “Both the Senate and Congress lack the legitimacy and authority to speak on behalf of the Georgian people.” He criticized the notion that foreign legislative bodies could dictate the narrative of the political choices of a sovereign nation, insisting that the US government “has an obligation” to investigate its officials’ alleged involvement in manipulating Georgia’s electoral outcomes.

Papuashvili further responded to remarks made by Senator Jim Risch during a recent Senate Foreign Relations Committee session, where Risch suggested that Georgian voters should “throw the rascals out” in the upcoming elections. Papuashvili condemned this statement as an affront to the Georgian government, which he described as “democratically elected” and “fully representative” of its citizens.

Highlighting the alleged risks of external influence, Papuashvili noted that “as the opposition faces a potential defeat in the upcoming elections, the frequency of foreign interference has increased”. He expressed concerns that the actions and statements from abroad created an “uneven playing field” for Georgian voters, “undermining the fairness and integrity of the election process”.

Papuashvili invoked the United Nations principles, particularly the Charter’s emphasis on non-interference, arguing that external meddling violates these foundational democratic values. He urged foreign partners to refrain from involvement, allowing the Georgian people to exercise their right to vote freely and independently without external pressure.