Georgia’s Opposition Marches Against Election Results
Georgian Dream Declared Winner by Central Election Commission
Georgia's opposition parties have marched through the capital Tbilisi to denounce the results of parliamentary elections, which they claim were rigged in favor of the ruling Georgian Dream party. The opposition claims that the elections were marred by irregularities, including voter intimidation and ballot stuffing. The Central Election Commission of Georgia has declared Georgian Dream the winner of the elections, but the opposition has refused to accept the results.
Irakli Kobakhidze: Georgian Dream's Victory Stolen from Opposition
Irakli Kobakhidze, the leader of the opposition United National Movement, said that the elections were "stolen" from the opposition. He said that the Georgian Dream government had used its control of the media and the judiciary to intimidate and silence the opposition. Kobakhidze called on the international community to condemn the elections and to support the opposition's demands for a new vote.
Georgian Dream Denies Irregularities, Claims Opposition Seeking to Destabilize Country
The Georgian Dream government has denied the opposition's allegations of electoral fraud. The government claims that the elections were fair and transparent, and that the opposition is seeking to destabilize the country by making unfounded claims of fraud. The government has also accused the opposition of inciting violence, and has warned that it will take all necessary measures to maintain order.
International Observers Raise Concerns About Election Irregularities
International observers have raised concerns about the conduct of the elections. The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) said that the elections were "competitive" but that there were "serious shortcomings" in the electoral process. The OSCE said that it had received reports of voter intimidation and ballot stuffing, and that the media environment was "heavily biased" in favor of the Georgian Dream party.
