Lithuania questions legitimacy of Georgia’s october election, urges EU probe

Lithuania’s Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis has called for an independent international investigation into Georgia’s October 26 parliamentary elections, which he described as neither “free nor fair.”

Speaking in Brussels ahead of an EU Foreign Ministers’ Council meeting on Monday, Landsbergis stressed the need to uncover “what truly happened.” He warned that if Georgia’s government refuses to cooperate with the European Commission on the matter, it would be “very telling.”

A letter from Georgian opposition parties was also circulated to EU ministers, urging the bloc not to recognize the election results. The letter called for re-elections in 2025 under improved conditions, the suspension of EU funding to Georgia’s government, and increased support for civil society and independent media.

Georgian Dream chairman Irakli Kobakhidze dismissed the letter as a “message to Brussels” akin to historic Soviet-era communications. The EU has raised concerns over Georgia’s “stalled European integration”, citing laws deemed incompatible with EU values and unfulfilled commitments.