Georgia’s current prime minister, Irakli Kobakhidze, suggested Zourabichvili be imprisoned if she does not step down from the presidency.
Following the closure of the polls on election night, Georgian Dream, the party backed by Russia, declared victory securing approximately 54% of the votes, while the united opposition obtained only 38%. According to a report by Reuters, Georgian Dream reiterated its commitment to Western integration and maintaining a practical approach towards Russia.
Radio Free Europe highlighted a statement by Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, made after casting his vote in the October election, emphasizing the significance of the election as a choice between war and peace, between deceptive propaganda and core values, and between the country’s troubled past and a promising future.
Georgia’s Prime Minister Kobakhidze attends a press conference in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Nov. 28, 2024 (Irakli Gedenidze)
Many opposition figures reject the victory claimed by Georgian Dream and call the election stolen and rigged.
The Georgian president and numerous Western observers raised concerns about irregularities in the election outcome, such as fraudulent activities and ballot tampering.
The election was “marked by a tense environment and several incidents of physical altercations and widespread intimidation of voters,” the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), noted in a statement. European Council President Charles Michel is calling for an investigation into the alleged irregularities.
Many Georgians have strong aspirations to join the EU, with polls showing up to 83% of them supporting such a move. The Georgian Dream Party has stalled Georgia’s efforts of joining the EU since it became a candidate member in 2023. The EU subsequently put Georgia’s process on hold after a controversial “foreign agent” law that required citizens, non-governmental organizations, media outlets and other civil society organizations that receive over 20% in funding from abroad to register as a foreign agent with the Justice Ministry.
Following the passage of the pro-Kremlin foreign agent law, the U.S. imposed sanctions and travel bans on Georgian officials who voted for the law and security agencies responsible for cracking down on dissent. The State Department also paused $95 million in assistance to the government.
Reuters contributed to this report.
